We got up this morning and headed back into Louisville to see the Louisville Slugger Museum.In 1884 J.F. Hillerich had a wood turning factory in Louisville making Bedposts,Butter churners amongst other things.The story goes that his son was an amateur baseball player and while working in the shop he made himself a baseball bat.His friends wanted one and he made them for his friends.The 1st bat was supposedly turned for Pete Browning by Bud.Pete played for the Eclipse and broke a bat. Bud made him a bat and the next game he had 3 hits and was nicknamed the Louisville Slugger.Thus name for the bat.The name became a registered trademark in 1894. In1905 The Flying Dutchman Honus Wagner was the 1st player to sign a contract and endorse a bat.During the war they produced M-1 Carbine stocks,billy clubs and also still made bats.Today Pro Ball players still have their bats made here.They also make softball and baseball gloves as well as golf and hockey gloves.125 years old and still going.
Babe Ruths bat.The nothches carved on the bat show all his home runs.
Sam the Slugger at Bat.
It starts with a piece of wood.
And ends with a bat.
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