This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
The 1932 season featured Babe Ruth's last fabled moment. The Bombers, who had cruised to the AL pennant, were up two games to none in the World Series against the Chicago Cubs but were embroiled in a 4-4 game in Game Three when Ruth stepped up in the fifth inning. Booed by the Wrigley Field crowd, Babe took two called strikes. Then, according to legend, he dramatically pointed his bat at the centerfield seats, "calling his shot," before smacking the next pitch right where he had pointed. This original team photo of the 1932 team includes other Hall of Famers such as Lou Gehrig, Bill Dickey, Tony Lazzeri, Earle Combs, Red Ruffing, Lefty Gomez and Herb Pennock. Photographed with their hats off, their personalities leap from the photo. There is a bearish Ruth in the top row center leaning a big arm on another player, a modest Gehrig at the end of the second row almost apologetically grinning, and owner Colonel Jacob Ruppert standing in the middle of the row, beaming proudly. The 8" x 10" photo is an original print and the images are remarkable for their clarity. This rare depiction of a team of near-mythical perfection is, fittingly, in near pristine condition.