Opening Day Auction 2014
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/26/2014
During the celebration of the 100th anniversary of professional baseball, Babe Ruth was voted the "Greatest Player in Baseball History". Mrs. Ruth was present at the gala function held on July 21, 1969 in Washington, D.C. to accept the award on behalf of her late husband. Numerous other baseball greats were also on hand to receive honors for their various talents. Joe DiMaggio was honored with three titles at the historic gathering as "Baseball's Greatest Living Center Fielder", "Baseball's Greatest Center Fielder Ever", and "Baseball's Greatest Living Player". Commissioner Bowie Kuhn presided over this historic evening and received the offered award in recognition of his participation. The trophy, measuring 10" tall by 7” wide by 5” deep, is composed of a black onyx base with an applied brass placard on the front inscribed with the "Greatest Players Ever" by position. This Greatest Team includes Lou Gehrig, Rogers Hornsby, “Pie” Traynor, Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, Mickey Cochrane, Walter Johnson, Lefty Grove all managed by John McGraw. A gold baseball is situated atop the base surrounded by a figural brass ring. Handsome and rare presentational trophy dating to one of the more significant baseball awards ceremonies of the first century of professional baseball. It is always tough picking the best ever, so while this team would have been very, very good; the second place team featuring Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Jackie Robinson, Yogi Berra, Christy Mathewson and Sandy Koufax, all managed by Joe McCarthy would have been pretty good, too. Comes with a LOA from the Bowie Kuhn family.