For his first day of work in June 1999, Scott Smith arrived at the makeshift bat factory, a three-level brick corner house in Ottawa, Ontario. Sam Holman handed Smith an order form: six bats, all for Jose Canseco.
Holman handled the first one. Then, it was Smith’s turn. Craftsmanship is not for those with trembling hands. His initial attempt at a handmade bat did not go well, and Holman was irate.
"I was thinking my career might last for a half-hour,” Smith said.
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