While this specific baseball bearing Babe Ruth’s signature is not the most expensive ever sold at auction, it probably has the most fascinating story attached to it.
Back in 1926, an 11 year-old boy, Johnny Sylvester, was severely injured when he fell off a horse. In 1926 the New York Yankees also made the World Series and before Game 4, Babe Ruth gave Johnny this baseball. Aside from just bearing a signature, the ball features a personal note that says, “I’ll knock a homer for Wednesday’s game.” Shockingly, and perhaps expectedly, Ruth went on to hit 3 home runs in that game. Further, Ruth actually stayed in touch with Johnny Sylvester until he died in 1948 (2 letters from Ruth to Sylvester have been sold at auction, making over $70,000 each). The ball was sold on Thursday night to an anonymous buyer for just over $250,000.
Squints: But it was signed by Babe Ruth!
Smalls: Yeah, you keep telling me that! Who is she?
Ham Porter: WHAT? WHAT?
Kenny: The sultan of swat!
Bertram: The king of crash!
Timmy: The colossus of clout!
Tommy: The colossus of clout!
All: BABE RUTH!
Ham Porter: THE GREAT BAMBINO!
Smalls: Oh my god! You mean that’s the same guy?
