This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
After he retired from the game in 1935, Babe Ruth remained the most recognized celebrity in America. As such, the Babe was asked to appear at wide variety of different charity events and sports venues to attract a crowd and add prestige to any gathering. On August 9, 1944, Babe Ruth appeared as guest MC of the Diamond Gloves boxing tournament in Paterson, NJ The PBA sponsored event was held at historic Hinchliffe Stadium and featured the area’s best amateur boxers. Ruth took to the canvas for pre-match ceremonies, limping from a recent knee operation, and succeeding in whipping the audience into a frenzy of excitement. To acknowledge the war then raging in Europe and the Pacific, the Babe led the 10,000 fans in a moment of silence in honor of the soldiers and sailors fighting overseas. At some point during the festivities, the Babe signed this custom die-cut ticket stub in bold black fountain pen. The signature is in spectacular shape and the stub has been torn at the door and has some slight creases to its surface. A great piece that illustrates how Babe Ruth’s popularity transcended baseball and made him into a beloved national celebrity. The stub comes with packet of newspaper stories leading up to and covering the 1944 Diamond Gloves tournament.
Full LOA from PSA/DNA (D71931) with autograph grade of 8/10.