The notion that the 1927 New York Yankees are the greatest team in baseball history is popular and has been documented by numerous historians, former players, managers and others with both first hand and historical perspectives. But to have that opinion documented by the hand of the greatest player on that, or any other team is extraordinary. And, to have Babe Ruth make that claim in writing on an 11” by 14” photograph of the 1927 New York Yankees team, defies all superlatives. Without question, this is one of the most historically significant Babe Ruth inscribed photographs we have ever seen. On the bottom center section of the photo, against the foreground of Yankee Stadium dirt that lies in front of the most revered lineup ever to don pinstripes, Ruth has penned his summation, “The greatest team of them all. Babe Ruth 1927”. The non-personalized inscription was likely rendered by Ruth in the 1940’s, the same era in which the photograph was re-printed. It is compelling to think of Ruth in his twilight years with this image before him, recalling this team’s, this season’s and his own former glory. It is difficult to make a case against Ruth’s assessment of his 1927 Yankees team. A year after a disappointing loss to St. Louis in the 1926 World Series, the Yankees came back with a vengeance. With a potent lineup dubbed “Murderer's Row," New York outscored its opponents by nearly 400 runs and hit .307 as a team. Babe Ruth’s own record setting single season home run total of 60 was greater than that of any other American League team. The Sultan of Swat had plenty of offensive support. Gehrig’s gaudy offensive numbers included a .373 batting average, 47 homers and a league leading 175 RBIs. Ruth's outfield mates, Earle Combs and Bob Meusel, hit .356 and .337 respectively, while second year man Tony Lazzeri ranked third in the loop with 18 homers. The equally imposing pitching staff boasted four men who won 18 or more games and the top three leaders in ERA league-wide. With a 110-44 record, the Bronx Bombers ran away with the American League pennant, winning by 19 games. The World Series match-up against Pittsburgh was a foregone conclusion, ending in a landslide four game sweep.
Ruth’s fountain pen inscription on the photograph rates 7-8 out of 10. The photo itself exhibits excellent image quality, with some light surface creasing and crazing mostly at the perimeter visible upon close inspection. This newly discovered photograph is among the finest signed items ever offered publicly from this most dominant of baseball teams. Includes full LOA from PSA/DNA.