(LOT 940)
"Fresh to the Hobby" c.1926/1927 Yankees Signed Official N.L. Heydler Baseball w/Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri, Earle Combs, Waite Hoyt, Bob Shawkey, and Mark Koenig - Full PSA/DNA LOA
The emergence of the incomparable New York Yankees teams in the 1920's eventually led to this organization standing tall as our National Pastime's most successful ballclub. Commencing in 1921, the Yankees would win a staggering 40 American League pennants and claim 27 world championships over a nearly century of time, a remarkable achievement that resides as the pinnacle feat among all sports teams. Paving the way for their unparalleled triumphs was a colossal slugger by the name of George Herman "Babe" Ruth who joined the Yankees in 1920 and immediately turned the baseball world upside down via his mammoth home runs.

Ruth would ultimately be joined by the likes of Earle Combs, Tony Lazzeri and the immortal Henry Louis Gehrig to form 'Murderer's Row", arguably considered the foremost slugging group in baseball history. From 1926 – 1928, these prolific hitters would pulverize American League hurlers in leading the Yankees to three consecutive pennants and two World Series titles (1927, '28). Of course, standout pitching would also play a big role in the Yankees success with superb hurlers such as Herb Pennock, Waite Hoyt and Bob Shawkey dominating opposing batsmen. As most historians' claim, the 1927 Yankee squad may reside as baseball's greatest all-time team, and as a magnificent tribute for that iconic ballclub, presented here is what appears to be an Official National League Heydler baseball signed by seven of the team's illustrious players. "Fresh to the hobby", this sensational offering has been secured by the same family for the past 90+ years, with our esteemed consignor's grandmother first handing him this prized possession in 1993.

Now, some 27 years later, he has ultimately decided to relinquish this historical horsehide sphere to another passionate collector via the Memory Lane auction route. Noteworthy to say the least, the four Murderer's Row Hall of Famers are all present (Ruth, Gehrig, Lazzeri, Combs) as well as shortstop Mark Koenig and standout pitchers Waite Hoyt (HOF) and Bob Shawkey. Babe Ruth has scripted his hallowed name on the customary sweet spot with an extremely large Lou Gehrig signature affixed to the east panel (a complete list of all 7 signatures and their associated panels is included at the end of the description). All black fountain pen scripts reveal approximate "6/7" strength with both the Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig autographs portraying "NM/7" aesthetics. Standard toning/soiling, scattered diminutive nicks to the horsehide surface and some faint red-hued soiling near the "h" in Gehrig's legendary autograph reside as the noteworthy blemishes.

The multi-colored red/black stitching has retained a majority of its factory-issued tightly wound attributes, and all of the original stampings have completely faded over the past 90+ years. It should be noted that since all seven of these New York stars played on BOTH the 1926 and 1927 Yankee teams, PSA could not distinguish the exact season this ball was scripted, dubbing it a 1926/1927 signed baseball on their critical PSA/DNA LOA. Most significant, however, are the seven signatures that include the "Sultan of Swat" and "Iron Horse" along with three other Hall of Famers, with these players accounting for the nucleus of the fabled 1926/1927 New York Yankees dynasty! For your convenience, all seven signatures and their respective position on this remarkable baseball are listed as follows:
Sweet Spot: Babe Ruth (HOF); West Panel: Waite Hoyt (HOF), Lou Gehrig (HOF), Mark Koenig; East Panel: Tony Lazzeri (HOF), Earle Combs (HOF); North Panel: Bob Shawkey

MIN BID $1,500
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