Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Tris Speaker Signed Baseball

Sold For:

$7,050

Year:

1930

Auction:

2009 Spring

Lot #:

925

Category:

Autographed Baseballs/Flats/Photos

Official National Amateur Baseball Federation ball signed by three of the greatest legends in baseball history: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Tris Speaker. Ruth's signature, which is scripted in blue fountain pen, graces the sweet spot and grades "7." Cobb's signature, also executed in blue fountain pen, is located on the east panel and grades "6." The Speaker signature, which is the strongest of the three, is scripted in black fountain pen on the north panel and grades "8" (slight bleeding at the very end of his name). Research indicates that this ball was almost certainly signed on July 27, 1941 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. On that date, Ruth, Cobb, and Speaker were the celebrity guests at the Annual Amatuer Day sponsored by the Cleveland Baseball Federation. (Not only is the ball a National Amateur Baseballl Federation ball, but we have seen a program from that day that makes special note of Ruth, Cobb, and Speaker's participation on the cover.) The National Amateur Baseball Federation was founded in 1914 and continues to this day. Ruth, Cobb, and Speaker are giants of the game and during the 1920s the trio were considered by many to be the three greatest outfielders that ever lived (there are many historians who would probably affirm that ranking today). Hall of Fame voters later acknowledged that sentiment. Ruth and Cobb were two of the first five inductees to the Hall in 1936 and Speaker joined them the following year. While single-signed balls have always been more highly regarded by collectors than multisigned balls, a ball such as this may be a rare exception, given the status of the three players featured here. This is the first such ball we have ever seen signed by just these three players. The ball is moderately toned and all of the manufacturer's stampings are light, but legible. In Very Good to Excellent condition. LOA from James Spence/JSA. Reserve $500. Estimate $1,000/$2,000. SOLD FOR $7,050