Hillerich Bradsby Wikipedia
The bats were sold under the name "Falls City Slugger" until Bud Hillerich took over his father''s company in 1894, and the name "Louisville Slugger" was registered with the Patent Office. In 1905, Honus Wagner signed a deal with the company, becoming the first baseball player to officially endorse a bat.. Frank Bradsby, a salesman, became a partner in 1916, and the company''s name changed ...