This Spalding Official National League ball brings together three key members of the New York Yankees team that dominated baseball during the 1920’s. The key figure, of course, is Babe Ruth, and he has signed the sweet spot in his unmistakable script. Joining him is Earle Combs, the Yankees center fielder and leadoff hitter. Whenever the Babe or Lou Gehrig hit one out of the park, more often than not, drove in Earle Combs as well. The man who ran those Yankees teams makes an appearance on this ball as well, Miller Huggins. All three men have plaques hanging in the Hall of Fame.

     The other two men on the ball have equally interesting stories. Bob Meusel was one of the game’s outstanding outfielders during the 1920’s, batting fifth, behind Ruth and Gehrig in the Yankees line up. Art Jorgens had a distinctive career himself - one of only three Norwegian-born players to make the Majors, he was a Yankees catcher for 10 years. During this time, the Yanks played in five World Series, yet because of Bill Dickey’s durability, Jorgens never made a single World Series appearance! Due to the fortunate layout of the signatures on the ball, all five can be viewed from one angle, making a very attractive display.

     We are able to date the ball to the 1929 season due to the combination of players who signed. Art Jorgens was signed by the Yankees in the fall of 1928 and made his debut with the Yankees the following year and Manager Miller Huggins passed away in September of 1929. The ball shows some scuffing from use and is lightly toned. Some of the shellacked coating has flaked off, but the signatures remain very strong and bold. An inscription is found on one side panel but unlike the player’s signatures, this has faded and is illegible. A very attractive ball featuring the heart of the late 1920’s Yankees lineup. The ball comes with a full LOA from JSA (Z19754) for the signatures.

Auction Notepad