This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/16/2007.
From humble beginnings on the Baltimore waterfront and reform school to accolades as the most famous athlete of all time, Babe Ruth is a true American hero. He was so successful at his craft that the Yankees were able to build a new stadium, still known today as "The house that Ruth built." The Babe was the highest paid player of his era, and when told by a reporter that the $80,000 salary he received in 1930 had exceeded that of the President of the United States (Herbert Hoover), Ruth was alleged to have said, "I had a better year than he did." Ruth was the first player to hit 30, 40, 50, and 60 home runs in a season. Over a six year period from 1926 to 1931, Ruth averaged more than 50 homers a year. He was the first to hit four homers in a single World Series. His career home run record of 714 was later surpassed by Hank Aaron, but it is unlikely that his .690 lifetime slugging percentage will ever be topped; only Ted Williams has even come close. Given away as part of a promotion in the late 1920s and early 1930s, the "Home Run Special" series included baseballs, bats and gloves. This is a Spalding No. 3RC orange and blue stitched baseball with facsimile Babe Ruth signature above "Home Run Special". On the opposite sweet spot is an actual Babe Ruth signature, signed in fountain pen. Ball shows some scuffing and soiling, with a large, bold signature that grades a strong 8 to 9. "Home Run Special" baseballs with an actual Ruth autograph are extremely rare. Accompanied by a LOA from JSA as well as a LOA from PSA/DNA.