1935 saw the Babe at the end of his remarkable career. Beginning as a pitcher, Ruth quickly established himself as the best lefthander in the American League, then transformed into an offensive machine so proficient that the term “Ruthian” was coined to describe an accomplishment so massive and extraordinary that no existing word or phrase could be found to adequately describe its dimensions. But even a career as “Ruthian” as the Babe’s had to end, and the spring of 1935 was the time. With the hope of managing his beloved Yankees off the table, Ruth returned to Boston where his career began and signed with the Braves. Far from being his triumphant swan song, Ruth’s short tenure with the Braves was marked with embarrassing strikeouts and miscues in the outfield. Such was the former when the Braves swung into Pittsburgh for a series against the Pirates at Forbes Field on May 21, 1935. That afternoon the Babe went 0 for 4 against Bill Swift as the Pirates downed Boston 7-0.

Two days later, the Babe would perform his final Ruthian act by clubbing three home runs against Pittsburgh and retiring five days later. The Babe has signed this unmarked ball in blue fountain pen on the sweet spot, and an unknown hand has dated the ball “5/21/35” on the panel below the signature in black fountain pen. A triangle has been drawn below the date, also in black pen. The ball shows medium overall toning with some scuffing and spotting to the leather surface. Ruth’s signature displays well, aided by the bright blue ink it was rendered in. The ball comes with a LOA from JSA (X80407) for the signature.

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