A mere two months before he passed away—the New York Yankees and their joyous fans gave their final respects to their Sultan of Swat, Babe Ruth, at the 25th Anniversary of Yankee Stadium—"The House that Ruth Built,” welcomed back its most celebrated slugger on June 13, 1948, for a ceremony to retire his uniform number. The sold-out crowd cheered, the band played "Auld Lang Syne," and Ruth donned his Yankee pinstripes one last time.
Pictured here in this black and white Type I photograph (measuring 10” x 8” in size) are Bob Meusel and Mark Koenig sharing a moment during the events honoring both Ruth and the vaunted Yankee Stadium in front of his old #3 locker.
The reverse of the photo features the inscription "6/3/48 N.Y" and "Locker room of Yankee Stadium during Yanks 25th year there. Babe Ruth with Bob Meusel (left) + Mark Koenig" penned by an unknown hand in blue ink. A stamp for Keystone View Co. is located below the inscription, and various editorial notations can be found at the top. Slightly toned and conceding corner and edge wear, the photo perfectly captures Ruth's last tour of the stadium his legend built.
Very rare crystal clear alternative shot of Babe Ruth before he went into his final health decline.
Full LOA from PSA/DNA designating this photo as a TYPE 1 photograph.