This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/31/2005.
Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig are perhaps the two names most synonymous with baseball, not to mention the New York Yankees. Individually, these two baseball superheroes did it all. In addition to being a superb pitcher early on in his career (he won 65 games between 1915 and 1917) Ruth could hit the ball like no one else of his time. The "Great Bambino" led the Majors in home runs in an amazing twelve different seasons as he set and reset the single season homerun record. Seventy years after his last game, Ruth is still the second greatest home run hitter of all time with a total of 714, one of only two men to ever break the 700 mark. Gehrig on the other hand, was arguably a better hitter than Ruth even though he finished his shortened career with fewer homers than his teammate. In 1934 he won the Triple Crown, leading the AL in batting average (.363), homeruns (49), and RBI's (165). In addition, Gehrig still holds the AL record for most RBIs in a season with 184, as well as the all time record for most career grand slams with 23. It makes sense therefore, that when these two were paired together sparks would fly. In the late 1920s and early 1930s when Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig both donned the Yankee pinstripes, they created the fiercest hitting duo that baseball has ever seen. During Ruth's record setting 1927 season, the two hitters combined to hit more homeruns than all but one team in the Majors. Success like that in today's game is just not possible, making this dynamic duo an immovable part of baseball history. This red and blue stitched Spalding No. 1 rare ONL Heydler baseball is signed in black fountain pen by Babe Ruth on the sweet spot and Lou Gehrig on the side panel. Ball is toned and has an even coating of shellack all around, with unexplained abrasions. The President's stamp has worn away, but the remainder of the manufacturer's and League stamps are bold and clear. The Ruth signature grades an 8 with a small stain on the upper first "B" in "Babe." The Gehrig signature grades a 7-8 with a small shellack chip on the middle of the "L" in "Lou." Accompanied by a LOA from James Spence Authentication.