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Example of a valuable autographed baseball, signed by the immortal Babe Ruth on Oct. 3, 1926, which was Day 2 of that year's World Series. This ball is shown for illustrative purposes only and has no connection to the court case mentioned in the article. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com and Robert Edward Auctions.

Judge settles family dispute over baseball items

Catherine Saunders-Watson
Catherine Saunders-Watson
Example of a valuable autographed baseball, signed by the immortal Babe Ruth on Oct. 3, 1926, which was Day 2 of that year's World Series. This ball is shown for illustrative purposes only and has no connection to the court case mentioned in the article. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com and Robert Edward Auctions.
Example of a valuable autographed baseball, signed by the immortal Babe Ruth on Oct. 3, 1926, which was Day 2 of that year’s World Series. This ball is shown for illustrative purposes only and has no connection to the court case mentioned in the article. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com and Robert Edward Auctions.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – A Superior Court judge has ruled in a family dispute over a collection of major league baseball bats, balls and autographs of Hank Aaron, Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio.

The Providence Journal reports that Judge Judith Savage ruled that the items of Robert W. Stewart belong to the late umpire’s grandson rather than the grandson’s stepmother.

From 1959 to 1970, Stewart collected nearly 120 baseballs, some bearing autographs of top players, and10 bats wielded in three World Series.

Stewart, who died in 1981, gave the memorabilia to his son.

The stepmother disputed that the items were a gift to the grandson, Michael Stewart. He sued.

The collection has not been appraised. But in 2005 the court ruled that Michael Stewart could take possession of the memorabilia if he posted a $500,000 bond.

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Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.providencejournal.com

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ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Example of a valuable autographed baseball, signed by the immortal Babe Ruth on Oct. 3, 1926, which was Day 2 of that year's World Series. This ball is shown for illustrative purposes only and has no connection to the court case mentioned in the article. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com and Robert Edward Auctions.
Example of a valuable autographed baseball, signed by the immortal Babe Ruth on Oct. 3, 1926, which was Day 2 of that year’s World Series. This ball is shown for illustrative purposes only and has no connection to the court case mentioned in the article. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com and Robert Edward Auctions.