(LOT 50)
1932 U.S. Caramel #32 Babe Ruth PSA 6.5 EX-MT+
In his 37th year, Babe Ruth's productivity fell off slightly, but he was able to still hit 41 home runs, drive in 137 RBIs and bat .341 over 133 games. Ha! That is a career year for virtually every other ballplayer in the history of baseball. Some information resources might view that as "decreased effectiveness", but averaging those numbers for a career earns you a spot in Cooperstown. But, for Ruth, it was a down year even though he did, once again, and despite two injuries, lead the New York Yankees to the American League pennant.

When the Yankees opened the 1932 World Series at home, they quickly went up two games before heading to Chicago. In Game 3, the true legend of Babe Ruth emerged. With brutal hazing and abuse from fans and opponents from the time they departed the train, the anger among Yankees players increased as they battled to tie the Northsiders in the fifth when Ruth approached the plate. Having already homered in the first, Ruth's ire heightened as he allegedly pointed to center prior to taking Charlie Root's fifth pitch over the center field wall. Thus Babe Ruth's "Called Shot" was born and has been debated for nearly a century, which is especially timely given the recent sale of the jersey he purportedly wore during that game.

1932 was the beginning of the end for the venerable veteran, as age and lifestyle were taking a toll on the Yankees giant, and he ultimately retired in 1935, after 21 years with the Bronx Bombers and a single season with the Boston Braves (1935). At 40 years old, the Babe had accomplished everything. Every home run he hit from 1921 on was a new record; he won the 1923 MVP, though he should have won at least a half dozen more; he was the "1" of the Bombers 1-2 punch in 1927 when he and Lou Gehrig led Murderers' Row to New York's second World Series title; and he was unquestionably the most recognizable and marketable figure on the face of the Earth. Sadly, he passed away from throat cancer at only 53 years old in 1948.

Presented here is a splendid PSA 6.5 EX-MT+ 1932 U.S. Caramel Babe Ruth, a far scarcer example than his coveted four 1933 Goudey counterparts from a year later. Ruth's portrait pose is unique for the U.S. Caramel subject, with no other issue depicting this classic image. Also scarce is the "GEORGE "BABE" RUTH" text above his Yankees cap, with typical, but minimal, border toning, general light surface wear on both sides, a soft, but negligible tilt, and even corner wear preventing a higher assessment. Issued during the campaign when the Sultan of Swat unleashed the fabled "Called Shot" home run at Wrigley Field in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, this superior 92-year-old POP 1 issue does not have too many examples surpassing its high-grade. This gorgeous Babe Ruth is sure to upgrade any collection, albeit Ruth, HOF, '32 Caramel or any other, as it is a flat-out beauty.

MIN BID $10,000
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