Source: HittingWorld

The famous Louisville Slugger was invented by seventeen-year-old Bud Hillerich, whose father owned a woodworking shop in Louisville, Kentucky in the 1880s.

Bud went to watch the local major league baseball team, the Louisville Eclipse. When lead player Pete Browning broke his bat during the game, Bud invited him back to his father’s wood shop to construct him a new one. While Bud crafted a new bat by hand with a long piece of lumber, Browning guided him along the way. The new bat was crafted so well, Browning got three home runs the very next game.

After that fateful day in 1984, baseball history changed forever, and the Louisville Slugger has been the must have American-made baseball bat ever since. Baseball legends such as Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Lou Gehrig all used the Louisville Slugger. Over a hundred million bats have been sold, and the company is considered the most famous brand in baseball history.

Over sixty percent of major League players continue to use Louisville Slugger bats, gloves, helmets and gear. Do you or your children have Louisville Slugger products? We want to know what you thought of the items in the comments below!