Description
Hillerich & Bradsby model R143 was used by Enzo Hernandez with the San Diego Padres in 1971 or 1972. The bat shows tremendous use and has a slight crack on the backside of the center label.
Many ball marks and seam impressions are visible on the right, left, and back barrel surfaces. Some very slight grain swelling is present and there are a few scattered cleat marks. The handle has a light coat of pine tar and a very minor crack on the backside of the center label area. The knob is stamped with the model number (R143). No uniform numbers are present on either end, but there are mounting holes in both the knob and barrel end.
Hernandez autographed the sweet spot in fading black or brown marker.
A typical ′′good field-no hit′′ shortstop, Hernández was initially signed by the Houston Astros in 1967, and later played in the Baltimore Orioles’ minor league system. After being traded along with Tom Phoebus, Fred Beene and Al Severinsen from the Orioles for Pat Dobson and Tom Dukes on December 1, 1970, he became the Padres regular shortstop for most of the period from 1971 to 1976, stealing 20 or more bases four times. He also collected 595 assists In 1971, for the 5th highest total ever for a shortstop. On August 1, 1971, Hernández took part in one of eight recorded triple plays by the San Diego Padres franchise.
In an eight-season career, Hernández was a .224 hitter with two home runs, 113 RBIs, 241 runs, 522 hits, 66 doubles, 13 triples, and 129 stolen bases in 714 games played. Hernández finished his Major League Baseball career with an 80% success rate on stolen bases.
Hernandez passed away in Venezuela in 2013 at the age of 63.
