From the collection of Babe Ruth's teammate, Dick Hoblitzell, this baseball hails from a 1914 Red Sox game vs. the Tigers. The handwritten inscription reads: "Detroit 8, Boston 8" as well as "1914" and other undecipherable writing. The official American League baseball was used in an 11-inning tie game at Tiger Stadium on September 21 and shows appropriate use. Hoblitzell and Ruth were teammates from 1914-18, winning three World Series together over that stretch.

Lelands is pleased to offer the collection of Babe Ruth’s former roommate, Dick Hoblitzell, in our 2019 Fall Classic sale. Hoblitzell started his career off with the Cincinnati Reds from 1908-14 and then closed his career out with the Boston Red Sox from 1914-1918. During his time with the Red Sox, he roomed with Babe Ruth on the road and became a two-time World Series Champion in 1915 and 1916. In 1918, Hoblitzell started the season off batting 1-for-25 and was then replaced by his former roommate Babe Ruth! Ranging from a 1915 World Champion Red Sox team signed baseball to game balls and Dick’s personal World Series programs, there is a little bit of everything in this “fresh to market” collection. Each lot sources from the family of Dick Hoblitzell and can be found in the “Dick Hoblitzell Collection” category of the current auction.