This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/29/2020
The 1931 Yankees won 94 games during the regular season but came up short in the pennant race behind Connie Mack's Philadelphia A's, who finished with 107 victories. Lou Gehrig set an American League single-season record with 184 RBI and The Babe led the AL in homers (46) and walks (128), allowing Larrapin' Lou to drive him in a bunch. Joe McCarthy, previously with the Red Sox, took over as the Yanks’ skipper, and over the next 16 years he guided the Yankees to nine pennants and seven World Series titles. Over in the NL, the '31 Boston Braves finished second-to-last with 90 losses. Fellow Hall of Fame manager Bill McKechnie's club would continue to serve as the proverbial punching bags of the Seniror Circuit.
This heavily soiled/toned and scuffed ball (manufacturer unidentified) holds the signatures of 11 members of these two ballclubs performing on completely different levels. From the Bronx Bombers is Ruth on the sweet spot, of course, with the Iron Horse on the west panel directly above "Marse Joe." A young Red Rolfe on the north panel is the only other Yankee present. Ruth and Gehrig both rate 6/10 in our opinion; they would be higher if not for the heavy scuffing. From the Bravos is their Hall of Fame shortstop Rabbit Maranville (HOF) over the now worn-off label, with his teammates Wally Berger and Ed Brandt to the north, plus Fred Frankhousehis and McKechnie to the west. James Spence has authenticated this as a "1931" ball, but if that's the case then the other two autographs -- Frankie Hayes (debuted with A's in '33) and Pinky Whitney (A's 1928-33, Braves 1933-36) -- must have been added later. Overall the ball is in FR/GD shape. There is an illegible notation on the north panel. Full LOA from JSA (B97789).