Imagine being on the same team as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. If you were around in the 1920’s and 30’s, that dream wouldn’t seem so far-fetched. Up until the 1940’s, major league ball clubs and individual players barnstormed against local town teams for extra money. Of course, the most popular players were Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, who would often appear on a local team, playing alongside some lucky local ballplayers.

This offered ball, signed by both Ruth and Gehrig, is a window to that quaint time. Alongside the signatures of the two baseball giants are nine others. Never heard of “Lefty” Auten or Tommy Daly? Well, they were teammates of the Bambino and Iron Horse for the day. A beautiful black and white photograph is included picturing the entire West New York, NJ ball club along with their new teammates, Babe and Lou, on the afternoon of October 13, 1930. The Spalding Official National League John A. Heydler ball has been signed on the sweet spot by The Babe and Gehrig has signed the panel above. There are nine additional signatures from the West New York team, Babe and Lou’s teammates for a day. All signatures are in black ink with the Ruth and Gehrig being the most prominent. The black and white photograph measures 12 x 22 inches framed. A 1984 full-page article from the Hudson Dispatch featuring a reproduction of the framed photograph and a story about Babe and Lou joining the West New York’s for the day is included. It is a rare opportunity when one can have an autograph from Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth and be able to pinpoint the day it was signed and have photographic evidence of the event. The ball comes with a LOA from JSA (B82391) for the signatures.

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