1935 marked the final season that The Babe walked onto a baseball diamond as a player, and quite frankly, his brief publicity gimmick with the Boston Braves should be wiped from his statistical records. Disillusioned and virtually lied to about his ultimate role with the franchise, Ruth played only 28 games with the Braves and slipped into retirement despite multiple attempts to land a managing gig in the big leagues. Retirement meant golf and fishing, but The Babe also served as an ambassador for the Ford Motor Co. for American Legion Baseball across the nation, traveling to local ballfields to greet the youth of America, grow the game and offer advice for the aspiring ballplayers. Even though he was no longer a player, Ruth NEVER stopped signing autographs for any fan offering something to sign. This incredibly well-preserved 1940-45 William Harridge Official American League Baseball is one such relic that the Bambino inked his name on the Sweet Spot in black fountain pen. The deep, dark signature remains crisp and clean at approximately “7.5” strength. The ball itself has been clear-coated throughout with only scattered discoloration marked due to more than 80 years of storage. This beautiful baseball is sure to stand out in the finest of Hall of Fame single-signed baseball collections!