Babe Ruth & Lou Gehrig Signed Blue and Red Stitched ES Barnard Official American League Reach Ball. Babe Ruth (1895-1948) and Lou Gehrig (1903-1941) Signed by two of the New York Yankees Bronx Bombers. Both signatures are crisp clear and boldly signed. Babe Ruth signed across the sweet spot and Lou Gehrig signed on the side panel. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig had a unique relationship and were a dominant duo known as the Bambino and the Iron Horse. Both launched towering home runs in the double digits at a time when this was uncommon. There was no other athlete in the world more popular during the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s than that of Babe Ruth. He generously signed and gifted baseballs, he wasn’t just the Home Run King, he was also a thoughtful and kindhearted autograph signer. The Babe left his mark on the game of baseball with his bat, glove, and pen. In what is likely the most famous transaction in baseball history, Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold Ruth to the Yankees for $100,000 following the 1919 season. The next season, Ruth hit 54 home runs with 158 runs scored and 135 RBI, setting the baseball world ablaze with his talent. He would top those numbers in 1921 with 59 home runs, 177 runs scored and 457 total bases. The last two numbers still stand as modern era (post 1900) records. Ruth retired in 1935 after a partial season with the Boston Braves, ending his 22-year big league career with 714 home runs. His lifetime statistics also include 2,873 hits, 506 doubles, 2,174 runs, 2,214 RBI, a .342 batting average, a .474 on-base percentage and a .690 slugging percentage. Babe Ruth passed away on Aug. 16, 1948. Gehrig wore uniform No. 4, because he hit behind Babe Ruth, the third batter in the Yankees' lineup. One of the most magnificent hitters and run producers in history, Gehrig was often overshadowed by Ruth, who was not only an unparalleled hitter, but was as outgoing and flamboyant as Gehrig was reserved and quiet. Gehrig scored more than 100 runs and recorded at least 100 RBI for 13 straight seasons in a career that featured just 14 seasons as a regular player. He led the American League in runs four times, home runs three times, RBI five times, on-base percentage five times and batting average once. He finished among the league’s top three hitters in batting average seven times. He racked up eight 200-plus hit seasons. He was the All-Star first baseman for the first seven All-Star teams, from 1933-39, though he retired just prior to the 1939 game. During his 17 seasons, the Yankees won seven pennants and six World Series. Gehrig’s World Series contributions include a .361 batting average, 10 home runs and 35 RBI in 34 games. Gehrig was the Yankee captain from 1935 until his death in 1941. In 1969, he was voted the greatest first baseman of all time by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Lou Gehrig was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1939. He passed away on June 2, 1941. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig had a unique relationship and were a dominant duo known as the Bambino and the Iron Horse. Both launched towering home runs in the double digits at a time when this was uncommon. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig were estranged for five years but all that changed on Lou Gehrig appreciation day. On that day Babe Ruth’s hug ended five years of estrangement, and yet there is also a great deal of ambiguity to it. Human relationships, even the really close, ideal-marriage ones, have grey areas. If you have ever wished that an angry utterance could be recalled so that a broken relationship could be mended, or that there would be some impossible moment of forgiveness and reconciliation that would revive a love that died, Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day. Gehrig’s words evoked tears and laughter with words which made the previous speeches sound rather hollow. He was wonderful. Somehow, he managed to control his voice. And when he was through, Ruth put his arm around him... People were crying in the stands when Gehrig finished. And they were ready to laugh again when Ruth put his arms around Gehrig and advised him to try out the fishing rod that had been given him and catch all the fish in the sea. Now, 82 years later every baseball fan knows of Gehrig’s words and Ruth’s. This item has been Forensically authenticated by Guaranteed Forensic Authenticators and comes with their Letter of Authenticity. Guaranteed Forensic Authenticators Guarantees their Opinion. A complete report of the forensic evaluation is available to any owner of the item current and future.

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