There was no question the 1927 New York Yankees were the best team in baseball. They just had to win one more series to make it official. And so on October 5, 1927, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig posed with Pittsburgh Pirates stars Paul and Lloyd Waner moments before the first pitch of the World Series at Forbes Field.
Three days later, it was over.
The Yankees swept the Pirates and cemented their reputation as perhaps the greatest team in baseball history.
The original news photo of this Hall of Fame quartet is the RMY Auctions’ Vintage Photo of the Day. It’s one of only a small number of silver gelatin examples to have survived and is among the featured lots in the Premier Auction now underway. The pre-sale estimate is $2,000-$4,000. Measuring 7 3/4” by 10”, it’s a good size example that is in near mint condition. The back shows identification and a date stamp of October 6, the day after it was taken.
The ‘Murderer’s Row’ lineup and stout pitching helped the Yankees win 110 games during the regular season, 19 games in front when the final out was made. Ruth and Gehrig were mega-stars, their numbers almost cartoon-like. Ruth had set a record with 60 homers and the Bambino also hit .356 with 164 RBI…not good enough to lead the league because Gehrig had driven in 175 thanks to his .373 average and 47 homers.
The Pirates were good, too, with three Hall of Famers in their lineup: Paul “Big Poison” Waner, his brother Lloyd “Little Poison” and third baseman Pie Traynor. Paul Waner hit .380 with 131 RBI and was named National League MVP. They squeaked out a pennant with a 94 win season but their pitching was no match for the mighty Yankees.
To get a look at the auction listing and view more than 400 other vintage sports and historic photographs, click here.
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