Thanks to American sailors, businessmen and missionaries, Japan has been playing baseball almost as long as it’s been played in the United States. Since the early 1900's, American players have visited Japan, but by far the most successful and influential tour arrived in the fall of 1934. Newspaper owner Matsutara Shoriki wanted only the best American stars and the roster of the group led by Connie Mack certainly met his expectations.

     Much to the delight of the Japanese fans, the tour was headlined by none other than Babe Ruth and his easily recognizable mug was featured on posters plastered up all over the island. Ruth and more than a dozen other American League stars thrilled Japanese fans for 18 games held from one end of the island to the other. By the time they left, Japan was baseball-mad and a professional league formed which thrives to this very day.

     17 members of the team have signed this Reach Official American League Harridge ball. Connie Mack has signed the sweet spot and Ruth signed one of the panels. The 15 others include Hall of Famers Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Gomez Earl Averill and Charlie Gehringer, Bing Miller, Harold Warstler, Earl Whitehill, Moe Berg, Lefty O’Doul, Eric McNair, Frank Hayes, Clint Brown, Joe Cascarella and trainer Doc Ebbing. The ball comes with a full LOA from PSA/DNA for the signatures (AC04526).

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