Presented here is a special Babe Ruth single-signed baseball, fresh to the market, that dates to the 1927 season, a glorified campaign that saw The Great Bambino reach new heights and spearhead what is widely regarded as the greatest baseball team ever. The ’27 Bronx Bombers and their “Murderer’s Row” started strong and never looked back, reeling off a then-record 110 wins before sweeping the Pirates in the World Series. The Sultan of Swat raised his MLB home run record to 60 while batting .356 and driving in 165 runs that year, and somehow not winning the A.L. MVP (that went to Gehrig).
Never one to shy away from the spotlight (unlike his more modest and less boisterous teammate), Ruth has provided his John Hancock here on the sweet spot – as he typically did – in lovely 6/10 fountain pen. The light but evenly toned OAL ball remains in fine EX-MT/NM condition, with the Ban Johnson and Spalding/Reach manufacturing stamps as clear as day. This certainly gives it a leg up when compared to other ’27 Ruth single-signed examples that have surfaced.
How are we so sure this ball dates to the historic ’27 season? For one, Ban Johnson’s tenure as A.L. President ended after 1927. More telling, according to the Official American League Baseball Dating Index, the patent date was changed to "PAT'D. MAR. 17-25" in 1926; and "The Cushioned Cork Center" replaced "The Cork Center" on the south panel in 1927. As far as provenance is concerned, our consignor’s grandfather attended many games at old Yankee Stadium in the 1920’s. On one very fortunate occasion, as the family story goes, he was able to procure two “game” balls which he promptly took to Ruth and Gehrig (Lot 104) after the game for their solo autographs.
Includes full LOA from PSA/DNA.