The Yankees’ All-Star core of Ruth, Gehrig, Combs, Hoyt, Pennock, Lazzeri and Pipgras were aging, which gave way to a new staple of solid players like Lefty Gomez, Red Ruffing, Bill Dickey and Ben Chapman who were all finding their place on one of baseball’s greatest teams. In 1930, the Yankees had 86 wins to place third in the AL behind the pennant-winning Athletics. Ruth and Gehrig hit 90 home runs between them. Chapman was the only other on the roster to net double digit dingers.
This Official National League (Heydler) ball contains 17 signatures from the 1930 Yankees, six of whom are enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Adding more signficance to this ball is its provenance, coming from the late Hall of Famer Walt Alston's personal collection. This may explain why all these Yankees signed an ONL ball as Alston played in the Cardinals organization before going on to manage the Dodgers to four World Series titles.
As usual, Babe Ruth (6/10) adorns the sweet spot, with Lou Gehrig (5/10) on the adjacent west panel. Dickey, Combs, Lazzeri and Gomez round out the Hall of Fame group. Others include Chapman, Mark Koenig, Dusty Rhodes, Dusty Cooke, Sam Byrd, Lou McEvoy, Bill Karlon, Bubbles Hargrove, Lou Polly and manager Bob Shawkey. Ball is VG-EX with heavy white scuffing and moderate spot toning. Blue ink autographs average 5-6/10 in our book. Full LOA from PSA/DNA (AG01752). LOA from Alston's grandson.