Displayed is a 1935 Cincinnati Reds multi-signed Official Spalding Baseball (Frick) (DC/SP/TM) Model PATD 17200 P/S. The ball contains ten signatures signed in black, steel-tip fountain ink. Key(s): A Comorosky, I.Goodman, G. Campbell, S. Johnson, L. Riggs, H. Poo, B. Sullivan, B. Myers, A. Kampouris, L. Herrmann. The aforementioned ball comes with a JSA LOA for the ten (10) autographs. The inscription on the ball, "First Ball Against Babe Ruth," was penned in black ink by an unknown hand, and the inscription is partially obscured. Si Johnson, who signed the offered ball, was a pitcher on the Cincinnati Reds in 1935. He played 17 Major League seasons, pitching for four Major League teams: Cincinnati Reds (1930-36), St. Louis Cardinals (1936-1938), Philadelphia Phillies (1940-43 & '46), Boston Braves (1946-47). He had a 101-165 career mark and an ERA of 4.09. The offered baseball is accompanied with a JSA LOA for the autographs (Cert. Number: YY52492) and a 1995 handwritten, signed, and dated letter from Si Johnson's cousin, regarding the provenance of the signed ball, that states, "This baseball...was given to me by my cousin, Major League pitcher Si Johnson. He pitched this ball against Ruth in 1935 when Ruth was a Boston Brave. The writing is in his [Si Johnson's] hand."

Also included is a Sports Illustrated article referencing the incident, a May 26, 1935, game in which Johnson struck out Ruth three times. The fascinating article quotes Si Johnson: "He was practically washed up, poor guy. Those pitches were all fastballs down the middle. People came to see Babe hit the ball, but he was late on every swing. Don't tell anybody, but I was hoping Babe would hit one out. He was a hell of a swell fella." The offered baseball shows fine use. It has some skinned places and small stains. The ball also shows darkening, to be expected after nearly nine decades. The multi-signed ball concerns a game only four days before Ruth's final Major League appearance. The offering gives a collector a great connection to the closing days of Ruth's career.