This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/6/2016
In 1934, the New York Yankees were entering a transitionary phase in the storied history of their great dynasty. Babe Ruth, now in the twilight of his legendary career at age 39, would see his last season in pinstripes, as Lou Gehrig would supplant "The Babe" as king of the diamond. But with 8 members of the squad destined for the Hall of Fame, the Yankees were still among the elite of the baseball world, registering 94 wins that year. Presented is a team-signed 1934 New York Yankees baseball with 24 signatures that is the finest we've ever seen, not just for the year but for any ball that features the signatures of Ruth and Gehrig. OK, let's start there. Babe Ruth's signature mans the customary sweet sport, and if there's a larger, cleaner signature on a team ball anywhere out there, we'd sure like to see it. On the panel south of the stamp, Lou Gehrig's signature appears below Ben Chapman, much larger and considerably bolder than just about any other ball that contains the whole team. Tony Lazzeri's extremely elusive signature is clear and easy to distinguish, as are all of the others. The autographs of McCarthy and Murphy have been deemed clubhouse signatures, which as most experts know, is more often than not the case. Also appearing are Ruffing, Gomez, Rolfe, Fletcher, Hoag, Schulte, Byrd, Newkirk, Crosetti, Saltzgaver, MacFayden, Jorgens, Sewell, DeShong, Taylor, Allen, Broaca and Van Atta. Easily one of the most pristine examples of the legendary New York Yankees that features Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig together. Full LOA from JSA.