After being defeated by the Cardinals in the 1926 World Series, the New York Yankees retooled and emerged in the spring of 1927 with an even more powerful ball club. Signing Johnny Grabowski, Cedric Durst and Ray Morehart gave the Yanks capable backups at every position and they rolled through the regular season with 110 wins, taking the pennant by 19 games. In the words of Washington's Joe Judge, “Those fellows not only beat you but they tear your heart out. I wish the season was over. Fitting Judge should say this after his Senators were swept by the Bronx Bombers in a Fourth of July doubleheader by a combined score of 32-2. The Pirates were no match for Murderer's Row and Co. in the 1927 Fall Classic either, getting swept in four straight.
This Reach Official American League ball, notated "7-4-27" from that DH sweep, holds 21 signatures from the most glorified team in MLB history. The ball features five Hall of Famers: Babe Ruth (8/10) on the sweet spot, Lou Gehrig (6-7/10), Tony Lazzeri (7/10), Earle Combs (6-7/10) and Herb Pennock (6/10). Also present are: Bob Meusel, Joe Dugan, Mike Gazella, Mark Koenig, Ben Paschal, George Pipgras, Bob Shawkey, Myles Thomas, Cedric Durst and Ray Morehart; plus all three of the team's catchers: Johnny Grabowski, Benny Bengough and Pat Collins. The autographs of Urban Shocker, Dutch Ruether and Waite Hoyt have been deemed clubhouse by PSA/DNA. The ball is heavily coated in in shellac which has given the ball a golden tone under which the black fountain pen signatures, averaging 7/10 overall) have been extremely well-preserved. Small flecks of the shellac have chipped off in some areas, but has little effect on the quality of the autographs or the baseball's overall visual attractiveness.
There is not a more important or coveted team-signed ball to own in any sport, and this one certainly ranks up there amongst the finest offered publicly. Fresh to the market, the ball was signed on the Fourth of July during that fabled '27 season and has spent the last 90+ years as a family heirloom, courtesy of one very fortunate Yankees fan.
Full LOA from PSA/DNA.