(LOT 85)
Babe Ruth & Jim Bottomley Before Game 1 of the 1928 World Series - PSA Type I Original Underwood – Stratton Photo – Measures Approx. 5-1/4" x 7-1/2" – Full PSA Type 1 LOA
The 1928 World Series would pit the New York Yankees versus the St. Louis Cardinals, with game one played at Yankee Stadium on October 4, 1928. The Yankees had just captured their third consecutive pennant, having crushed the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1927 Fall Classic via a four-game sweep. In 1926, the Cardinals had bested the Yankees in a tightly contested seven game series as the legendary Grover Alexander closed the door on the mighty "Murderers Row" in game seven. Thus, the stage was set for this classic rematch that pitted superstars Ruth, Gehrig, Lazzeri, and Combs against Redbird legends such as Frisch, Bottomley, Martin and Maranville.

This brilliant 5-1/4" x 7-1/2" photo depicts the incomparable Babe Ruth shaking hands with the Cardinals star 1st baseman and Hall of famer Jim Bottomley before game one at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees would win game one by a 4-1 score and go on to sweep the Cardinals in four straight games to capture their second consecutive championship via four-game sweeps! Interestingly enough, the reverse side caption erroneously states that both Ruth and Bottomley belted home runs. While Bottomley did account for the Cardinals only run via a solo blast, the 'Bambino" did NOT go deep, smacking three hits that all stayed in the ballpark.

Nevertheless, this imposing image reflects two of baseball's finest sluggers during the 1920's, with the borderless pose exhibiting spectacular registration and contrast as both sluggers share their good-natured grins for the photographer. A seemingly "timeless" 89-year old heirloom issued by the Underwood-Stratton news service (credit stamp on verso), it most significantly depicts the "Sultan of Swat" during the height of his unparalleled career! - Full PSA/DNA Type I LOA

MIN BID $300
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