The man who stands behind more whizzing bats in U.S. major league ballparks than even the busiest catcher is a slim, gregarious Kentuckian named John A. Hillerich Jr. "Bud" Hillerich, 49, is the president of Louisville's venerable (76 years) Hillerich & Bradsby Co. In its rickety red brick factory, H. & B. turns out 60% of all U.S. bats, including the famed Louisville Slugger, used by almost all big leaguers. This year the company will produce more than 4,000,000 bats, ranging from a $1.25 model for Little Leaguers to $4.60 copies of big league bats. Most of the bats...
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