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Lot # 433: Babe Ruth & "Called Shot" Umpire Signed Baseball (JSA LOA)

Category: Ruth and Gehrig

Starting Bid: $1,000.00

Bids: 14 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2019 Spring Classic",
which ran from 5/7/2019 10:00 AM to
6/7/2019 10:00 PM



Addendum: Ironically, umpire Magerkurth was also the umpire in the Babe Ruth #714 Home run game in 1935. The consignor has also alerted us that the gentleman he originally obtained it from, his father, got it 1935-36. 

 
One of a kind historic baseball is signed by this unique pair. It is signed by the one and only Sultan of Swat and George Magerkurth, the longtime National League arbiter who was umpiring at first base on that historic Game 5 of the 1932 World Series at Wrigley Field when the Babe controversially called his shot. Interestingly, Magerkurth for years insisted that the Babe's gesture was indeed THE "called shot," meaning that Ruth intended to hit the ball into the center field bleachers, which he assuredly did - a shot of at least 440 feet. Moreso, Magerkurth had a vantage point and objectivity that lends credence to Babe Ruth's side of the eternal argument. Perhaps inscription on the ball was "To Cully (?) and Ax Adolphson From G.L. Magerkurth Natl Leag. Umpire The New White Shirt Ball." On the baseball, Ruth wrote "To Ax From Babe Ruth." The baseball is a Spalding Official National League ball with Ford Frick imprinted on it. Magerkurth's inscription and signature are in black steel-tip fountain pen. Ruth's signature is in blue pen. Baseball has a darkened stain of approximately 1.5" in diameter. Baseball shows significant browning from age. Both signatures show some fading, but are reasonably dark in view of their age. However, this is the only ball of its type in the world. Based on the inscription the two baseball men may have every well have been together at the time. Quite an interesting pair.

Overall Grade: JSA LOA

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