A Hillerich & Bradsby metal bat rack from the 1930s. The metal rack can hold up to 12 bats and was only given to stores that sold the legendary brand's bats. One of the finest examples we've ever seen, the metal sign on top features the company's logo and on one side reads: "Half a century of experience in bat-making goes into bats carrying this trade mark" and the other side reads, "Users of Louisville Slugger bats are Members of Baseball's Hall of Fame." Hillerich and Bradsby is the oldest and most iconic bat makers in the sport. The company's history began in 1884 when Bud Hillerich, an apprentice in his father's word-working shop offered to make star Louisville Eclipse player Pete Browning a replacement bat after he had cracked his in a game. In 1894, Hillerich trademarked the name, Louisville Slugger. The manufacturer changed the sport forever in 1905 when it paid Honus Wagner for his endorsement. Louisville Slugger remains popular today with an estimated 14% of MLB players carrying their bats to the plate.