In 1948 Babe Ruth, dying of terminal cancer, made his final appearance at Yankee Stadium. Ruth appeared before the June 13, 1948 game against the Cleveland Indians. Ruth gave a tearful speech that echoed Lou Gehrig’s a decade prior in the pre-game ceremony, dressed in his Yankee pinstripes for the final time. Cancer had turned the formerly hulking slugger into an unrecognizable shell of his former self. Ruth was forced to lean on a baseball bat in order to stand while he gave his speech, leading to Nat Fein’s Pulitzer Prize winning photograph of The Babe. This bittersweet moment was one of Ruth’s last public appearances, as he would pass away on August 16 of that summer.

     The Yankees played an Old Timers Game that day to honor Ruth. The lineup card from that game is presented here, and it shows the names of some of the Yankees most beloved players. The names have been written in pencil on this 3 3/4 x 4 3/4 card, which is adhered to a black paper backing. Across the top is printed "1948 OFFICIAL BATTING ORDER NEW YORK". Hall of Famers Joe Sewell, Bill Dickey, and Lefty Gomez turned out for the Old Timers team. Red Rolfe, Myril Hoag, George Selkirk, Jake Powell, Mark Koenig, and Sammy Byrd (spelled “Bird”) round out the Old Timers line up for the Yankees, which are listed below the "ORIGINAL" column. The opposing team was comprised of players from 1923, the Yankees first season at Yankee Stadium. These players include Whitey Witt, Joe Dugan, Wally Pipp, Elmer Smith, Bob Meusel, Mike McNally, Wally Schang and Bob Shawkey listed under the "CHANGE" column. This card is in good condition, displaying only minor toning given its age and some corner wear. This is a great collectible honoring the early great teams of the storied Yankees franchise. 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.

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