This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/23/2019
In 1939, the Yankees became the first team ever to win four consecutive World Series titles, a feat surpassed by just one team since -- the '53 Yanks. New York ran away with the pennant with a record of 106-45, 17 games ahead of the second place Boston Red Sox. A rather easy sweep of the Cincinnati Reds in the Fall Classic sealed it that year. The season also marked the club's first-ever gameday radio broadcast and would be the final campaign in which Lou Gehrig donned the famous pinstripes -- the ALS ailment having now taken hold of its eponym.
This partial team-signed "Official Ace" ball holds 11 signatures including Gehrig (5-6/10 against the J.C. Higgins trademark stamp), Joltin' Joe DiMaggio, ace Red Ruffing, manager Joe McCarthy (sweet spot) and star backstop Bill Dickey. Frank Crosetti, Charlie Keller, Red Rolfe, Bill Knickerbocker and Steve Sundra have also added their autographs, all in faded black ink that rates generously 5/10 on average. This very important record-setting team ball with Gehrig, Joe D. and McCarthy is tough to find free of Clubhouse signatures. Ball is mildly toned/soiled (EX/EX-MT). "Sterling" and "April 11, 1939" on label done in unknown hand. Full LOA from PSA/DNA (AG07316).