>TC<
01-27-2002, 01:30 PM
Biggest bat ever used in a major league game - 5 feet 4 inches
After striking out twice in a game against the New York Giants, Cubs outfielder Bill Lange tried to change his luck by switching to a bat nearly six feet long!
The crowd at New York's Polo Grounds roared with laughter when Lange came to the plate with the monster bat, whcih had been presented to the Cubs by Frank McKee, manager of the Madison Square Theater, as a joke.
In the eighth inning, Lange begged umpire John McQuaid to let him use the giant stick. The Giants, who were enjoying a comfortable six-run lead, didn't object , so the umpire gave him the go-ahead.
With a huge oof! Lange swung and connected, knocking a slow grounder to first baseman Jack Doyle. But Doyle fumbled the ball for error.
The next batter, Charlie Irwin, spoke softly and adked if he could carry the big stick to the plate. But Giants manager, Monte Ward, objected - and the ultimate timber, a full 2 feet 4 inches longer than a regulation bat, was retired with full honors.
TC
After striking out twice in a game against the New York Giants, Cubs outfielder Bill Lange tried to change his luck by switching to a bat nearly six feet long!
The crowd at New York's Polo Grounds roared with laughter when Lange came to the plate with the monster bat, whcih had been presented to the Cubs by Frank McKee, manager of the Madison Square Theater, as a joke.
In the eighth inning, Lange begged umpire John McQuaid to let him use the giant stick. The Giants, who were enjoying a comfortable six-run lead, didn't object , so the umpire gave him the go-ahead.
With a huge oof! Lange swung and connected, knocking a slow grounder to first baseman Jack Doyle. But Doyle fumbled the ball for error.
The next batter, Charlie Irwin, spoke softly and adked if he could carry the big stick to the plate. But Giants manager, Monte Ward, objected - and the ultimate timber, a full 2 feet 4 inches longer than a regulation bat, was retired with full honors.
TC