Category Archives: History

Louisville Slugger 2008

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An absolute must stop in Louisville is the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum. If you are looking for it, you really can’t miss it. There is the replica of Babe Ruth’s bat (68,000 lbs, 120 feet tall). There are also home plates and bats honoring legends in the game of baseball on the sidewalk. It’s kind of neat just to walk around and take it all in before you get into the factory and museum itself.

The company was started back in the early 1800’s by the Hillerich family, originally from Germany. In the 1860’s they moved to Louisville and opened a woodworking shop and soon had a group of employees. In the 1880’s the Hillerich’s oldest son, “Bud” became an apprentice in the shop. Did I mention he was also an amateur baseball player? Bud soon started making his own bats as well as bats for some of his teammates. “AH!”.

Legend has it the first professional bat was made for Pete Browning in 1884 who played on Louisville’s professional team, The Eclipse. The story goes that after Browning received the new bat, he had three hits and was nicknamed, “The Louisville Slugger”. Although there has been a lot of questions concerning the correct history of how the bat came about, one thing if for certain – they’re apparently doing something right and the Louisville Slugger Factory is still the name in baseball bats today. One of their most popular features is that amateur players can purchase the bat model of their favorite baseball player. What kid wouldn’t want to do that?!

Today, the factory also makes aluminum and composite bats for adult baseball, youth and softball. Well rounded I would day. They have also teamed up to make bionic gloves for baseball, softball, hockey and gardening. Technology is crazy isn’t it?! And if all that still isn’t enough, the Louisville Slugger is also the home of the World’s Largest Baseball Bat.

What can you expect when you go to check this out? Now, I took this tour a few years ago but I remember it being quite extensive and as a baseball lover you really try to take in every single thing. For starters, they have this HUGE wall with the signatures of the players as you can see them on the bats. Go on, find your favorites!

In another area, a baseball field is set up with players and bats waiting to be taken up to the plate. You can even pretend you are playing yourself.

Or you can loose yourself in the giant glove.

For me, the best part of the tour was when they brought us through the factory and showed us how the bats are made. If I remember correctly, we couldn’t take pictures of this part of the tour (hence I don’t have any) but it’s just a better reason for you to go check it out yourself! There are also videos, a gift shop and the best part is at the end of the tour, you receive a free miniature bat to take home for yourself. How fun is that?! I still have mine for personal protection, if I ever need it!
The factory was a lot of fun to visit and I would definitely recommend it. It’s also in a great part of town just to walk around and see the sights!
For more info on the tour, check out the Louisville Slugger website.

On the Road & Kentucky

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And here we were for the second stretch of the trip – Philadelphia to Louisville.
Pennsylvania was great, nice countryside, rolling hills and small mountains. We even went thru some fun tunnels where honking the horn and hearing the echo was pretty entertaining. Maryland – we were there for about 10 miles. I remember passing by one town around this area and there was just this giant church with a steeple in the distance and it seemed to just own the town. It’s odd the things you remember. We did go thru West Virginia, but honestly, I would rather forget. The road was winding and very, very hilly. Up and down and right and left, it seemed to take forever. When we hit the Kentucky state line, it was raining, pouring. Who am I kidding here?! Pouring. My photo’s were out of the picture when it came to the lush, green rolling hills and the large horse farms. It was BEAUTIFUL. Now, if only Mother Nature could cooperate with me if I have a chance to go back and explore. (Please!) But all in all, we made it to Kentucky and Sy was so happy to see his dad and stepmom!
I think the first thing his stepmom ever said to me was how pretty I was. Whatever, I’ll take it! haha I was officially in the South. First this was, I learned how to pronounce Louisville the way it is meant to be pronounced. Lou-vull, not Louie-ville. Remember this. Important facts I’m teaching you.
What does one do when they are in Louisville, but go to Churchill Downs of course! Have you not heard of the Kentucky Derby?!
We swung by the University of Louisville campus.
We walked around downtown and saw some pretty interesting buildings and architecture.
These got me and I completely forgot about them until just now. Animal heads on the buildings.
And there’s some pretty great statues around to keep you company as well.
Where does Louisville hail it’s name?
King Louis XVI.
They continue down by the waterfront…
Doesn’t he look like Peter Pan?!
Mr. Clark was one of the highest ranking military officials during the Revolutionary War. He is known as the “Conqueror of the Old Northwest”.
We most definitely checked out the Louisville Slugger factory but I’m going to have to tell you about that in an entirely different post.
Finally – food you ask. We were taken to Lynn’s Paradise Cafe. If you are looking for extreme Southern cooking, crazy hats and odd lawn art – you are in the right place. It’s definitely a unique attraction.
I’m going to say Lynn’s was my initiation to the South. I had never had grits, I didn’t really know what they were to be honest. Fried green tomatoes were just something that I knew from a great movie. I think you get the point. If you are looking for prime southern comfort – you’ve found a destination.

Philadelphia

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So we made it to Philadelphia and I gathered the quick impression that the “City of Brotherly Love” is more of a sarcastic comment than anything. Other than that we had a really great time even though it wasn’t nearly long enough of a visit. Dave and Audrey lived in the historic area with brick streets and in an old charming apartment that was just super cozy.
Here are some of places we got to check out:
Independence Hall
The Liberty Bell
Little story regarding the Liberty Bell. We thought you had to pay to get into the building to be “up close” to the bell so we just ended up taking this picture outside thru the glass. Turns out going inside is free. Just FYI for all of your future visits, haha!
A monument in the park.
Now, who goes to Philly without trying out a cheesesteak? Not us! We went to Jim’s on South Street. Honestly, I’m not sure if I’ve ever been so stressed when ordering food. These guys didn’t mess around. When it was your turn be ready quick and to the point on how you want your sandwich done. Seriously – be quick. I also learned, cheesewiz goes on these bad boys and it was delicious!
On our last day, we woke up super early to get ready to hit the road and then we realized… we hadn’t climbed the Rocky steps!?! Detour!
The steps are actually at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Honestly, they’re not as big as I thought they would be but the view was better than I could’ve imagined!
And yes, I made it to the top of the steps! Look, I think I even see the car parked down there!
Now, off to Kentucky!