Auction Item Details
Lot 405
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Lot Number: 405
Description: Babe Ruth inscribed 42nd Home Run baseball of the 1926 season. Babe Ruth appeared in only 98 games in 1925. Plagued by a season-long ailment dubbed "the bellyache heard round the world," Ruth had his worst season as a Yankee, finishing with a less than Ruthian .290 average and 25 home runs. With many sportswriters suggesting that Ruth's best days were behind him, he reemerged in 1926 intent on quieting his critics. Ruth proceeded to lead the Yankees to the 1926 AL title, batting .372 with 47 home runs and 146 RBIs. The offered baseball was hit by Babe Ruth for his 42nd home run of the 1926 campaign and represents the 351st clout of his career. The smash occurred at DetroitÆs Navin Field on September 11, 1926 with Ruth connecting on a pitch from Tigers pitcher Lil Stoner in the top of the ninth inning with two runners on base. The three-run homer was the difference in the game with the Yankees winning by a score of 10-8. The grandfather of the consignor was in the bleachers that day and watched the ball sail over the outfield wall and out of sight. At the conclusion of the game a half inning later, he exited the stadium through the outfield as was customary in that era. Just outside the park, he noticed a small boy holding a baseball standing next to a Detroit mounted police officer. He asked the boy about the ball and was told that it was Ruth's home run ball that he had chased down and retrieved a few moments earlier. The policeman confirmed the boy's statement and the gentleman made the boy an offer to purchase the ball. The offer was accepted in the presence of the officer and the gentleman quickly sought out a sportswriter friend of his that he knew was on hand for the game. Through the sportswriter, he was able to obtain Babe Ruth's signature and notation on the baseball referencing it as being the ball hit for a home run that day. The blue and red stitched Johnson AL ball features Ruth's signature on the sweet spot, and his inscription on the adjacent left panel, "42 Home Run, 1926." Both the signature and inscription rate 6-7 out of 10. Typical of a game used ball, it shows some scuffing and general soiling, remaining in very good condition overall. Today it survives as one of few self-documented Ruth home run balls known, dating from one of his most prolific seasons. Includes a family letter of provenance and an additional LOA from JSA. Ball: VGEstimated Price Range: ($15,000-$20,000)
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