Jose Cardenal--1968
Sometimes a player impacts the game of
baseball in a manner that is not found in
a box score. New York Giant Roger
Bresnahan is noted for being the first
catcher to wear shin guards. Detroit’s
Hang Greenberg is credited with being
the first to wear a larger glove as a first
baseman and then there was Jose
Cardenal.
Searching for new lumber during the late
1960’s, Cardenal borrowed a bat from
Coach George Altman that was made of
a yellowish wood. What intrigued the
outfielder was that he noticed that the
Japanese-made bat didn’t have marks
where the contacts were made. So he
bought the dozen of bats from Altman for
$100.
A few hits later, complaints were filed
about the unique lumber, but the
Commissioner’s Office gave an okay to
Cardenal to use the bat, as he went on
to hit in the .290’s.
“It had a little cup at the end and good
balance,” Cardenal once related to me.
As word spread, Louisville Slugger called
Cardenal as the small fly catcher let
them duplicate the bat which would be
named “C271”, as it was the 271st
model to be made for a player with the
last name that began with the letter “C”.
Cardenal eventually broke all twelve bats
and was not able to order more bats
from the Japanese bat company.
Luckily, Louisville Slugger had the
blueprint, as the C271 is presently the
most popular model used in the big
leagues today, swung by stars A-Rod
and Lance Berkman to name a few.
“Too bad, I never got a penny for any of
those bats,” said a chuckling Cardenal.
Editor’s Note: I have known Jose
Cardenal for close over 20 years and it
took until now for my friend to relate the
story. Thanks Jose.
(6/24/10)
baseball in a manner that is not found in
a box score. New York Giant Roger
Bresnahan is noted for being the first
catcher to wear shin guards. Detroit’s
Hang Greenberg is credited with being
the first to wear a larger glove as a first
baseman and then there was Jose
Cardenal.
Searching for new lumber during the late
1960’s, Cardenal borrowed a bat from
Coach George Altman that was made of
a yellowish wood. What intrigued the
outfielder was that he noticed that the
Japanese-made bat didn’t have marks
where the contacts were made. So he
bought the dozen of bats from Altman for
$100.
A few hits later, complaints were filed
about the unique lumber, but the
Commissioner’s Office gave an okay to
Cardenal to use the bat, as he went on
to hit in the .290’s.
“It had a little cup at the end and good
balance,” Cardenal once related to me.
As word spread, Louisville Slugger called
Cardenal as the small fly catcher let
them duplicate the bat which would be
named “C271”, as it was the 271st
model to be made for a player with the
last name that began with the letter “C”.
Cardenal eventually broke all twelve bats
and was not able to order more bats
from the Japanese bat company.
Luckily, Louisville Slugger had the
blueprint, as the C271 is presently the
most popular model used in the big
leagues today, swung by stars A-Rod
and Lance Berkman to name a few.
“Too bad, I never got a penny for any of
those bats,” said a chuckling Cardenal.
Editor’s Note: I have known Jose
Cardenal for close over 20 years and it
took until now for my friend to relate the
story. Thanks Jose.
(6/24/10)
