Winter 2014 Auction Closing Feb 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2014
Imagine how the Babe felt sitting in the heat of Sarasota, watching the Cincinnati Reds train for the upcoming 1948 baseball season. He was 13 years removed from his last playing days, but his body was weary from the cancer which would take his life a few months later. However, he mustered the strength to watch more baseball, and signed this ball with that Reds team. This yellowed Official League ball contains 24 ink signatures, many of which appear to be very light, or there was an attempt to erase. Includes: Ray Mueller, Augie Galan and Harry Gumbert (all on sweet spot), Ted Kluszewski, Clyde Vollmer, Howard Fox, Andy Anderson (St. Louis Browns), Buddy Lively, Hank Sauer, Kent Holcombe, Grady Hatton, Babe Young, Kermit Wahl, Ken Raffensberger, Ewell Blackwell, Babe Ruth ("5-6") and many others. Most of the "others" are very tough to read. This is an unusual ball, as it is very rare to see Babe Ruth's signature on a side panel of a team signed ball, but it was likely Ruth signed this ball after the team applied their marks. While many of the signatures are tough to read, the Ruth panel is very dark and bold and this panel displays very well. Full LOA from PSA/DNA, cert number H47818. Multiple images and LOAs available at goldinauctions.com.