In 1924, sports agent Christy Walsh devised the “Babe Ruth All America Board of Baseball” awards, presented each season to the best player at each of the nine positions. The award was voted on by Ruth and a cadre of sportswriters from baseball cities. This award was one of the most cherished honors of its time, as the opinion of the most popular baseball player in the world carried a great deal of weight. Numerous Hall of Famers received this tremendous honor, including Babe’s all-world teammate Lou Gehrig.

     Presented here is a certificate honoring Bill Dickey, the catcher honored by Babe and his team of sportswriters in 1933. A star in his time, Dickey has since been overshadowed by another Yankee catcher to don the pinstriped number eight jersey, one Yogi Berra. Dickey’s 1933 season was stellar, as the backstop from Little Rock, Arkansas, accounted for 14 home runs, 97 RBI, and a .318 batting average. His eye at the plate was peerless, befuddling opposing twirlers and striking out only 14 times in 530 trips to the plate. Dickey, whose best years were still to come, was named to the very first Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 1933 as the second-string catcher for the American League squad. In the final 11 years of his career, Dickey was selected to 10 more All-Star Games.

     Dickey retired after a 54 game cameo in 1946 as the player-manager of the Yankees. In his lone season at the helm, Dickey led a solid Yankee team to a 57-48 record. Cooperstown came calling in 1954, and the quiet stalwart of seven World Series winning teams entered the Hall of Fame alongside Rabbit Maranville and Bill Terry. The final honor of his baseball career came in 1972, when the Yankees retired the number eight in honor of both Berra and Dickey.

     This certificate is highlighted by the bold and clear signature of Ruth. He signed the award in black fountain pen, writing his name as “George H. Babe Ruth”. The signatures of the 10 sportswriters who contributed to the All America Baseball Team are placed below Ruth’s.

     Large text above Ruth’s signature reads “Having considered the performance / of all eligible baseball players in the / United States, hereby designates / William Dickey / New York Yankees / as a member of the / All America Baseball Team / 1933”. A gold All America Board of Baseball seal shines brightly from the bottom left area of the award. The award, which measures 14 x 16 inches, comes in a 23 x 33 inch frame. An All America patch is matted in the display beneath the award. This item comes with a LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication (A03434) and a full LOA from PSA/DNA (AC01270).

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