In 1941, two of baseball’s greatest players, Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb, agreed to a best-of-three golf match to help raise money for local charities. Offered is a rare ticket to the first match of the series that has been signed by both Ruth and Cobb in pencil. PSA has encapsulated the ticket and certified both signatures as “Authentic.” Ruth’s signature appears on the reverse, while Cobb has signed on the front. Both signatures are boldly scripted and grade 8/10 overall. 

As noted in print on the ticket, the match took place at the Commonwealth Country Club in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts on June 25, 1941, with all the proceeds going to The Golden Rule Farm (New England’s Boy’s Town in Franklin, New Hampshire). Over 700 fans paid one dollar each to see the former stars battle on the links. As was reported at the time, both players, who were never very friendly during their playing days, took the match quite seriously, especially Cobb, who had a pathological drive to be first in everything he attempted. Neither player was especially sharp that day, but Cobb managed to defeat Ruth by three strokes, thereby earning a silver trophy cup donated by famed movie actress Bette Davis. The original owner of this ticket kept score of the match on the reverse through the first fifteen holes, and we can see here that Cobb’s three-stroke lead after fifteen held up to the end. Ruth won the second match in the series, but Cobb ultimately proved triumphant with his win in the rubber match. 

This is the first ticket from that famous golf series between Ruth and Cobb that we have ever offered and to find a signed example is especially noteworthy. The ticket (3x5.75”) displays several moderate creases and is in Good to Very Good condition overall. An exceptional and rare Ruth/Cobb signed item that has appeal to both baseball and golf collectors.