This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/25/2012
Towards the beginning of the 1920s, the great sport of baseball had fallen on hard times in the United States of America. Fans had become alienated from the game in the wake of gambling allegations known as the Black Sox scandal, stars such as Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb had either retired or were reaching the end of their playing days, and the national pastime was in desperate need of a new hero and a new beginning. Enter George Herman "Babe" Ruth, he of the massive shoulders, skinny legs and boyish facial features. With his prowess as a pitcher having already earned him high accolades, his skill set turned to hitting, and his propensity for clobbering monstrous shots over ball park fences re-energized interest in the game. These "Ruthian" feats were plain-sight, in-your-face accomplishments. As a result, baseball was once again viewed as a trustworthy endeavor rather than a nefarious collaboration of dark-alley con-men and swindlers. Ruth can clearly be viewed as baseball's saving grace, and for this reason alone it's no wonder that his signatures continue to be among the most widely sought-after collectibles in the hobby. Offered here is a wondrous treasure from the Babe's glory days: a single-signed OAL ball from the Ernest Barnard presidency era. The signature appears to be in dark blue or black steel-tip pen, and there is an inscription that reads "to David E.A. Flanagan from Babe Ruth." The signature has faded a bit over the years and is lightly scuffed but is still strong and entirely legible, rating perhaps a 5 in terms of strength. The ball itself shows light scuffing and minor age toning but the stampings are easily legible and the blue and red stitching remains intact and strong. This tremendous piece of memorabilia comes with a full LOA from JSA and is entirely recommended to all Ruth fanatics.