Presented here is a fascinating and unique Spalding Official League baseball signed by cast members of the 1942 movie “The Pride of the Yankees”. This movie was a biography of Lou Gehrig, the Hall of Fame first baseman who succumbed to ALS in 1941. Several of Ruth’s teammates, including Babe Ruth, Bill Dickey, Mark Koenig and more, had roles in this film. The sweet spot of this baseball is inscribed to Ludwig Stosser, who portrayed Gehrig’s father in the major motion picture. “-PERRY FERGUSON- / with appreciation” is printed on the sweet spot, while Eleanor Gehrig, the widow of Lou, signed below the inscription in black pen. Hall of Fame players Babe Ruth and Bill Dickey have signed the panel to the south of the sweet spot. Gary Cooper, the actor who played Gehrig, signed in between the two Yankee giants. The ball also includes the signatures of Sam Wood, the film’s director, Walter Brennan, who played a sportswriter named Sam Blake, and Babe Herman, a former Yankee who was Cooper’s stunt double during certain baseball scenes. This ball has been mounted on a rounded wood base that has engraved on one side “THE PRIDE OF THE YANKEES” and “COMPLIMENTS OF CHRISTY WALSH” (Ruth’s longtime agent/promoter) on the opposite side. This ball displays toning and other markings, along with some edge wear on the wood base. This comes with a LOA from Beckett Authentication for the signatures. Please note that this item was recently authenticated by Beckett Authentication. An LOA will be pictured in this lot when it is received in our office and will be shipped to the winner.

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