(LOT 1671)
c.1922 Babe Ruth World Series Game #1 - PSA Type 1 Encapsulated International Newsreel Photo Measures Approx. 6-1/2" x 8-1/2"
The early 1920s would see the incomparable Babe Ruth revolutionize baseball with his record-setting home run numbers, belting 54 round-trippers in his first Yankee season, and breaking his own record in 1921 when he walloped 59 dingers! Indeed, the "Sultan of Swat" was here to stay and in 1922, he once again led the Yankees to the Fall Classic for a rematch against John McGraw's cross-town rival N.Y. Giants. The previous year, McGraw's club bested the Yankees limiting the slugging Ruth to a handful of hits, throwing the Bambino an assortment of "junk" and/or off-speed pitches to upset his timing. The 1922 Fall Classic would see more of the same, with the series opening on October 4th at the legendary Polo Grounds. The Giants would win Game #1 by a 3-2 score and go on to defeat the Yankees in an uneventful five games.

Once again stymied by the Giant's pitching staff, Ruth would only muster two measly hits in 17 at-bats for a dismal .118 Series average, while belting no homers and striking out three times. This imposing PSA Type 1 offering reveals the "Sultan of Swat" striking out in the first inning of the October 4th Game#1 contest; a sign of things to come for the frustrated Ruth with Giants' catcher Frank Snyder and N.L. umpire Bill Klem behind home plate. Other than the two large lower corner chips, the momentous central image has remained intact, with the verso including the critical International Newsreel credit stamp as well as a small caption detailing that Ruth has struck out in his first World Series at-bat (10-4-22). In closing, this incredible image depicts the colossal-like Ruth swing, and even though in this instance the Bambino came up empty, it stands as the perfect testament to one of his most iconic quotes: "I swing big, with everything I've got. I hit big or I miss big. I like to live as big as I can!"

MIN BID $300
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