Tim Murnane was a popular figure back in the early days of baseball. After starting out in the National Association in the 1870s and being a charter member of the Boston Red Stockings in 1876, Murnane became one of the leading sports writers for the Boston Globe. Murnane was the president of the New England and Eastern Leagues of minor league baseball and enjoyed a 30-year career as a sportswriter and baseball editor with The Globe.

     Murnane suffered a fatal heart-attack on February 7, 1917 and learning that his surviving family was in financial difficulties, a fund was established for Murnane’s family by the Red Sox, the American League and the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. These three entities, with the help of local businessman and former club owner John I. Taylor, arranged a benefit exhibition game featuring the Boston Red Sox against an all-star team. The game was set for September 27, 1917 at Fenway Park. Despite the season still in full swing, many of baseball’s stars of that day participated as show of support for the Murnane family. With the exception of the St. Louis Browns, all of the American League teams were represented and included names like “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and Buck Weaver of the Chicago White Sox, Rabbit Maranville of the Boston Braves (the only National League representative), Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Ray Chapman, Wally Schang, Stuffy McInnis, Steve O’Neill, Howard Ehmke, Urban Shocker and Bob Shawkey. Managing this all-star team were Connie Mack of the A’s and Hughie Jennings of the Tigers.

     Facing this all-star team for the Red Sox was none other than pitching phenom of that day Babe Ruth. The highlight of Ruth’s performance was his strikeout of Ty Cobb that stranded Ray Chapman at third base during the first inning. The Red Sox defeated the All-Stars 2-0 on a two-out triple by Duffy Lewis in the eighth inning that scored player-manager Jack Barry and Dick Hoblitzell.

     Offered is one of the baseballs used during this special benefit game, which reportedly raised “13,000-$15,000. This Official American League baseball shows outstanding use and considerable wear and toning, given its age. The ball features red and blue stripes and hand written in black ink across the sweet spot is inscribed “9/27/17” and “ALL STARS – 0 RED SOX – 2”. The “AMERICAN LEAGUE” and “REACH” stamps are visible, but faded or have abrasions. This historic baseball, a ball that may have been pitched by Ruth, hit by Shoeless Joe Jackson and fielded by Ty Cobb has been authenticated by the game used experts of Mears, who have provided an LOA for this baseball and graded it as AUTHENTIC. With no official All Star game until 1933 this was perhaps baseball's first un-official all star game!  Goldin Auctions will be donating 5% of the winning bid price of this lot and all lots in this auction to the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum.

Auction Notepad