Considered the "original home run king" of baseball, though he never hit more than 12 in a single season, Home Run Baker earned his nickname for his propensity to hit round-trippers. In retrospect, the numbers seem puny - Baker led the league with home run totals of 11, 10, 12 and 9 from 1911 to 1914, respectively - but he was firmly ensconced in the deadball era of baseball, which came to a sudden close once Babe Ruth burst onto the scene with 29 long balls in 1919. This bat signed by Baker is one of only two others we have encountered in 40 years of business, and this one has been signed by the slugger four times, no less! It comes from the collection of Harry Evans, who was a very early collector of memorabilia and cards. Evans had close relationships with many of the former players and was noted for getting his special, hand-labeled and themed baseballs and bats signed. This bat retains the original "H.D. Evans" ID tag with handwritten notes identifying it as "Home Run Leader American League." It is hand-lettered by Evans with "1911 Home Run Leaders 1920" on the handle and on the barrel are the numbers 9, 10, 8, and 12 - representing the number of home runs that Baker hit to lead the league (note that these numbers may be off by a few because the bat was labeled in the 1950s and stats have been clarified or rectified between then and now). Above each number on the barrel is a large "J. Franklin Baker" signature in 7.5/10 black ink, for a total of four Baker signatures. The blank-barreled H&B bat is EX-MT and modeled after what Baker used during his playing days. Comes with PSA letter.