Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2018
This pint-sized Babe Ruth promotional mini baseball is an awesome little piece of the grand old game’s history. This is a 1948 Ford Motor Company American Legion, Spalding Ford C. Frick "Official National League" promotional mini baseball that features a secretarial signature of Babe Ruth. On the sweet spot directly below the Babe Ruth signature reads "Consultant - Ford Motor Company" and "1948 - American Legion Junior Baseball State Runner-up" printed on the bottom panel. Displaying wonderful toning, this distinctive keepsake is a shrunk-down and spectacular version of an official baseball dating from the final stages of the Sultan of Swat’s legendary life.
American Legion baseball was established in 1925, and the Junior League tournament consisted of thousand of teams, played by teenage boys, ages 13-17, in every state. In 1948 the Ford Motor Company sponsored the tournament and dealers supplied uniforms for local teams. Babe Ruth was re-engaged as consultant and director of operations. Ruth traveled across the country promoting the Junior league, despite being diagnosed with cancer in 1947. The Ford mini baseballs would be handed out to the participants in the state championship game where Babe Ruth would speak to the young ballplayers, with his deep and raspy voice.
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