(LOT 637)
Babe Ruth's FINAL YANKEE Game on September 30, 1934 & the EXACT IMAGE Used for his Iconic USPS 1983 "20 Cent" Postage Stamp - ACME NEWSPICTURES Type 1 Photo - Measures Approx. 7" x 9" - PSA Type 1 Encapsulation
Little did a seemingly infinite number of diehard Yankee fans realize that on September 30, 1934, the incomparable George Herman "Babe" Ruth would be playing in his FINAL Yankee game against the Washington Senators at Griffith Stadium. While the Senators would claim victory by a 5-3 score, more significantly, this monumental game would be the last time the "Babe" would ever don a New York uniform as an official MLB player for the legendary Yankees. While not his finest campaign, Ruth still managed to clout 22 homers, knock in 88 runs and post a formidable .288 batting average. In the offseason, on February 26, 1935, Col. Jacob Ruppert would trade an aging Ruth to the Boston Braves who wanted the Bambino solely as an enormous gate attraction. For 15 years with the Yankees, Ruth's prolific batting prowess earned him the well-deserved title of "Baseball's Greatest Player", belting an unfathomable 659 homers with the New York club as well an additional 15 dingers in the World Series.

With Boston, the "King of Swat" would add an additional 6 long balls to end his career at the celebrated 714 regular-season mark (he hit 49 home runs with the Red Sox). As an amazing keepsake for his final Yankee game played on September 30, 1934, we are proud to present this extraordinary Babe Ruth Type 1 photo portraying the Bambino in one of his most classic batting poses extant. The absolutely awe-inspiring 7" x 9" illustration shows Ruth completing his mighty swing as he "flies out" in the top of the first with Senator's catcher Luke Sewell and home plate umpire Brick Owens looking on. Exhibiting the finest possible contrast and crystal-clear clarity, the only notable flaws are a diminutive right border chip and light diagonal crease near the upper right quadrant. The flipside reveals the renowned ACME NEWSPICTURES credit stamp that is partly covered by the significant caption that validates the September 30, 1934 game date and reads as follows: "BEFORE THE NEW YORK YANKEES-WASHINGTON SENATORS GAME IN WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 30, 1934, BABE RUTH WAS PRESENTED A SCROLL, SIGNED BY THOUSANDS OF NAMES, AND HEADED BY THAT OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. PHOTO SHOWS BABE RUTH FLYING OUT IN THE FIRST INNING. SEWELL CATCHING FOR WASHINGTON; 9/30/34".

Obviously, here is no mention that this would be Babe Ruth's last Yankee game because at that juncture, Ruth's baseball future was still shrouded by an abundance of ambiguity. Unfortunately for a shocked and utterly saddened Yankee fan base, only 4 months later their iconic hero would be dealt to the Braves, leaving an empty hole to fill not only in right field but more significantly, in the hearts of New Yorkers who idolized him for so many years. The image itself easily resides as one of Ruth's most imposing all-time batting photos, such to the point that the United States Postal Service ultimately chose this EXACT swinging pose to grace their iconic 1983 Commemorative "20 cent" Postage Stamp. One of the "Babe's" most momentous keepsakes, it resides as a bona-fide memento from his final Yankee game, with Ruth's 15 unparalleled seasons in the "Big Apple" placing an indelible stamp on his storied career!

MIN BID $1000
_