Bat Man Retires

After 45 years, 9 months and 8 days of making Louisville Slugger baseball bats, beloved craftsman Danny Luckett retired from the company.

Friday, June 26th marked Luckett’s last day with Louisville Slugger, ending a career that spanned six decades with the company. He presented his last hand-turned bat to Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce, who is Luckett’s favorite active player.

The master bat craftsman didn’t always dream of making bats.

“I went to the employment office, and the guy said, ‘What do you think about making baseball bats?” recalls Luckett. “And I said, I don’t care, I need the job. So he sent me to Louisville Slugger, and that’s been 46 years ago.”

Luckett turned more than 2.5 million bats throughout his storied career. He’s made bats for more than 65 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, including the great “Hammerin” Hank Aaron.

Aaron visited Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in 2009, when he was honored with the LSMF Living Legend Award. After meeting Luckett, Aaron said he should have taken Luckett into the Hall of Fame with him.

Luckett may not be making bats in our factory anymore, but the rest of the crew is hard at work seven days a week producing bats for your favorite Major League Baseball players! Check out the “Plan Your Visit” section to get information on our extended summer hours.

Click here for a video commemorating Luckett’s time with Louisville Slugger. We wish him all the best!