J. F. Hillerich & Son Co. professional model bat, dating from the 1911-1916 manufacturing period, bearing the name "Milan" stamped on the barrel. The bat, which is not visibly cracked, displays evidence of excellent use, including a 9" wrap of vintage black tape around the handle. It appears that about four inches of tape have been removed near the base of the handle, but an adhesive outline remains in that area. In addition to signs of normal baseball usage, the bat also displays moderate chipping (slight loss of wood) at the barrel head, minor chipping to the knob, and a few minor indentations along the barrel.

During the referenced manufacturing period, the only two professional players we can find with the last name "Milan" are Washington Senators star center fielder Clyde Milan, who began his Major League career in 1907, and his brother, Horace Milan, who played almost exclusively in the minors from 1913 to 1927. While we cannot state with certainty that this bat was used by Clyde Milan, we are confident that it was based upon several facts. The first is that given Clyde Milan's Major League status, he would have ordered many more bats than his brother during the referenced labeling period, thereby increasing the probability that a greater number would have been saved. Second, we have seen at least one photo of Milan pictured holding a bat and in that image the bat has a wrap of tape along the handle, just as the offered bat does. Lastly, and most important, is that we have seen only one other documented Clyde Milan game-used bat, which was authenticated by PSA. That bat, which dates from the 1922-1924 labeling period, was 34 inches long and weighed 33.1 ounces. The offered bat also measures 34 inches in length and weighs 38 ounces, which corroborates 34" as the length of bat ordered by Clyde Milan during his career. (The weight difference is what one would expect, as players often use lighter bats as they get older, but the lengths almost always stay the same.) 

Clyde Milan, who joined the Washington Senators in 1907 along with Walter Johnson (they became close friends and roomed together on the road), starred in center field with the club for 16 seasons. Nicknamed "Deerfoot" for his speed on the bases, he twice led the league in stolen bases and only Ty Cobb and Eddie Collins totaled more during the decade 1910-1920. He was also adept at the plate, batting over .300 on four occasions and finishing his career with a .285 lifetime average and 2,100 hits. Bats used by deadball-era star players, especially those pictured in the T205 and T206 sets, are rare and this example is no exception. As we noted earlier, this is one of only two we have ever seen, and we would not be surprised if it is the last.