A Lone Toyota Prius Prime Visits the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum

A must visit destination for Baseball fans everywhere.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – March 19, 2023

The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory


I took this shot less than 24-hours ago. The painted hollow steel bat is 120 ft tall and weighs approximately 68,000 pounds.​

Louisville, KY – During one of my many delivery jaunts around the Southeast – this time from my home in Nashville to Chattanooga, TN, through a small portion of North GA on the 24, transitioning to the 65 back in Nashville, through to Louisville, KY and a drop-off in New Albany, IN, taking a short break at one of Louisville’s most unique attractions was a no brainer. Today, the city is known as the home of Muhammad Ali, the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Fried Chicken, the University of Louisville and its Cardinals and the “Louisville Slugger baseball bat factory and museum.”

The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory was built to honor the history and production of baseball bats – not in that order, particularly the Louisville Slugger brand. The museum is owned and operated by Hillerich & Bradsby Co., which has been producing Louisville Slugger bats since 1884.

Jackie Robinson, #42 showcased at the Louisville Slugger Museum


The first black player in the Majors, Robinson broke barriers and added baseline excitement during his 10-year MLB career.​

The Louisville Slugger story began in 1884, when J. F. Hillerich, a woodworker from Louisville, made a bat for a local baseball player, Pete Browning. Browning had broken his favorite bat during a game, and Hillerich offered to make him a new one. Browning was so impressed with the bat that he ordered more, and Hillerich soon began making bats for other players. The bats were all handmade on wood lathes and cutting tools of the time, and Hillerich & Bradsby Co. was born.

The Louisville Slugger brand quickly became popular among baseball players, and in 1905 the company began using the name "Louisville Slugger" for its bats.

Ty Cobb and Lou Gehrig featured at the Louisville Slugger Museum


Some of their actual bats are on display! Ty finished his career with a record still held today with a .366 batting average.​

Ty Cobb, just a year before his death in 1961 was asked by a reporter how he would fare in the modern game.

In 1996, Hillerich & Bradsby Co. opened the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory to showcase the history and production of their famous bats. The museum features interactive exhibits, artifacts, and a factory tour where visitors can see how bats are made. The museum has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world.

Despite the move to aluminum bats in younger participant leagues – they are not allowed in the Majors because they produce higher batted ball speeds compared to wooden bats risking injury to the players, wooden bats continue a baseball tradition and maintain the integrity of the game.

Ted Williams honored at the Louisville Slugger Museum


The spectacular hitter was the last to achieve a .400 batting average in 1941.​

Other highlighted players include Babe Ruth, Henry Aaron, Johnny Bench, Roberto Clemente, and Joe DiMaggio to name just a few.

Along with the players described above, The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory continues to expand its attractions including special exhibits on baseball history and culture, as well as events and activities for visitors of all ages. Today, the museum remains a beloved institution for baseball fans and a testament to the enduring legacy of the Louisville Slugger brand. I highly recommend this attraction anytime you are passing near or through Louisville on the 65, 64. Or 71.

Hours: Monday thru Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM EST

Sunday: 10 AM - 4 PM EST

Admission

Adults: $18
Seniors (60+): $17
Kids (6-12): $11
Kids 5 & Under: Free

PS: The 2021 Toyota Prius Prime’s 651-mile RT was completed at 70.7 mpg in case anyone was interested.