This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/27/2010
In 1942, director Sam Wood introduced America to his cinematic masterpiece, “The Pride of the Yankees,” a biographical film about New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig, who had his career cut short at 37 years of age when he was stricken with the fatal disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (later known as ALS and "Lou Gehrig's Disease"). Released a year after Gehrig's death, the film stars Hollywood icon Gary Cooper as Gehrig and co-stars Teresa Wright as his wife Eleanor and Walter Brennen as his sportswriter friend. Yankee teammates Babe Ruth, Bob Meusel, Mark Koenig, and Bill Dickey play themselves, as does sportscaster Bill Stern. The film includes a re-enactment of Gehrig's farewell speech in Yankee Stadium, with Gehrig’s famous line "Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth" voted #38 on the American Film Institute list of the 100 greatest movie quotes of all time. In fact, “Pride of the Yankees” was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, including Best Actor (Cooper), Best Actress (Wright), and Best Picture, while winning an Oscar for Best Film Editing. During the course of filming, 13 of the principles got together from the cast to autograph this baseball, likely the only one of its kind in existence. Taking up every bit of space on the sweet spot is the most recognized signature in sports history, a solid “7” strength inking of the Sultan of Swat himself, Babe Ruth. Ruth’s blue pen signature is so bold and colossal on this unstamped and beautifully toned sphere that he left virtually no room between the stitching as a fitting tribute to his fallen Yankee comrade. Continuing onto the panels, the signatures of fellow major leaguers Mark Koenig, Jack Salveson, Lloyd Brown, Bill Dickey, Al Montgomery, Lefty O’Doul (technical advisor), Bob Meusel, and Babe Herman (technical advisor) are easily identified. Actors Fred Gay, Walter Brennen, and Dan Duryea are present, as is the film’s star, Gary Cooper, his “6-7” strength signature placed just under Bill Dickey. This is a tremendous opportunity for the eternal Yankees supporter or avid historian to acquire a truly unique piece of baseball Americana. In short, a one-of-a-kind specimen, comprised of participants in the most important and heart-felt baseball film ever produced, representing the life and times of one the greatest players in baseball history, and highlighted by the trademark signature of the most prolific slugger of all-time, Babe Ruth!