We’re not sure where it is these days, but we know the last out baseball from the 1928 World Series was preserved—and autographed by both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
RMY Auctions is offering a 1928 photograph of the duo signing the ball and presenting it to New York Governor Al Smith, who was a candidate for president.
Issued by International News and stamped on the back with a paper caption still attached, the photo is among the premier items among hundreds up for bid in RMY’s December online catalog.
The photo is dated October 10, a day after the Yankees had dispatched the Cardinals to complete a four-game sweep that resulted in their second straight World Series title.
Ruth had homered to tie the game at 2 and Gehrig followed with a blast of his own to give New York the lead for good. In the bottom of the ninth, the Cards scored to trim the Yankee lead to 7-3 but Frankie Frisch then hit a fly ball to foul territory in left field. Ruth snared it on the run and as Cardinal fans pelted him with whatever they had available, the Babe sprinted away to the Yankee dugout, holding this ball in the air. In 1930, he called it “the biggest thrill” of his career.
Auction bidding continues through Saturday at RMYAuctions.com.
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