What appears to be a game ball, this Official American League issue is signed, "To My Pals, Joe and Cam from Bill Donovan, Aug 5th (?) 1918." Dick Hoblitzell was on the Boston Red Sox in 1918 and Donovan was on the Tigers in 1918. The Red Sox played the Tigers six times in August of 1918. From the family of Dick Hoblitzell, Babe Ruth’s former roommate with the Boston Red Sox.

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.