Crack of the Bat: The Louisville Slugger Story

Crack of the Bat is a comprehensive and entertaining look at the most famous icon in the history of baseball, the "Louisville Slugger" bat. The story includes the evolution of bats from pioneer wagon tongues to the sleek aluminum models of today. It examines the amazing physics involved in hitting a baseball, where .007 second means the difference between a home run and a foul ball. It tells the fascinating history of the still family-owned Hillerich & Bradsby Company, which in just 80 years went from making butter churns to producing seven million bats a year. Reinforcing this tale are dozens of stories about the the idiosyncrasies of the most famous hitters in baseball history, including Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Cal Ripken Jr., and Derek Jeter. Illustrated with hundreds of archival photographs, baseball decals, and icons -- many in color -- this book will become as much a cherished keepsake as some of the bats it describes.