The savvy collector looks for the inimitable, distinct memento. This is it. Long before clubhouses had private stalls, catered training tables, and thumping music, they had lockers for the players. Individually etched medallions identified the locker of the player. Even greats like Babe Ruth in cathedrals like a young Yankee Stadium, needed their lockers distinguished. This medallion is how that was accomplished. When the Yankees became the first team to regularly wear uniforms with numbers in 1929, the locker medallion also received a number.

This bronze medallion, approximately two-inches in diameter, hung from the Babe’s home locker. On the front is engraved “BABE RUTH 3.” On the back is engraved “YANKEE STADIUM LOCKER 3 THE BRONX, NEW YORK.” This is a rare piece as Ruth played for five more seasons as a Yankee before finishing his career in 1935 with the Boston Braves. Anecdotes explain that players received three tags – one each for equipment bag, locker and luggage. In addition to the ones actually used at the stadium, additional copies were produced at the time and given out. The medallion is in good condition with engravings and faces showing some tarnish from age.

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