This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/30/2005.
The list of possible descriptives is endless, but in reality it is impossible to accurately portray the legend that is Babe Ruth on paper. Truly illustrative of what is possible in this country, Babe Ruth went from street urchin to national treasure, and in the process changed this game we call baseball forever. There is not much that needs be written about his career but a short recap of the 1932 season, the year to which this bat dates, is surely in order. Playing a full 133 game season Ruth compiled an impressive .341 batting average and for the eleventh time in his career, surpassed the 40 homerun mark. He landed within the top ten of no fewer than ten prominent statistical categories including homeruns, average, runs, on base percentage, and total bases. For the seventh time as a member of the New York Yankees he took the team to the World Series and summarily helped them to a World Championship. His batting average of .333 in that Fall Classic can only be overshadowed by the legendary "called shot" in Game 3. This incredible Ruth game-used bat dates to September 17, 1932 as the NY Yankees played the St. Louis Browns. Red Smith was writing for the St. Louis Star at the time and all indications are that he and Ruth were good friends. This would also mark the last time that Ruth would appear in St. Louis as a Yankee. The barrel of the bat has visible ball hit and transfer marks along the left barrel. Slight blue rack marks can still be found on most of the barrel's surface. Still uncracked, there is a signature on the right barrel with inscription "To Smitty [unlegible] Babe Ruth" that rates a 3. However, the writing and inscription can not be confirmed as either Ruth or his wife. Manufacturer: Hillerich & Bradsby, Model Number: Pre-Model Number, Labeling Period: 1932, Length: 34-3/4 inches, Weight: 35-4/5 ounces, Wood: White Hickory, Finish: Standard. The bat comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA.