This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2015.
This baseball was hit on May 6, 1925 by Ty Cobb for his fifth home run in two days against the St. Louis Browns. That home run, his second of the game, would cap the most spectacular hitting performances in the history of baseball. Not only was the feat itself astonishing, but the fact that Cobb predicted his own performance might be most noteworthy. After being constantly criticized by reporters for his inability to hit the long ball, like players such as Ruth and Gehrig, he decided to show the reporters that he could do just that. While talking to a reporter before the game on May 5th, he stated: "I'll show you something today. I'm going for home runs for the first time in my career." Cobb stood by his words as he hit five home runs in two consecutive days, a performance which has been equaled by a few, but not surpassed. On May 5th, he started his historical push by going six for six at the plate with three home runs, a double and two singles. The following day he continued his barrage going three for six with two more home runs, the second of which is this very ball that was caught by Al Lanemann. Lanemann then waited for Cobb’s return to Sportsman Park in order to have it signed. “REACH” manufactured OAL Barnard baseball. On the west panel is "Cobbs Fifth In Two Days May 6, 1925" written in period blue ink. Across the sweet spot reads “St Louis” written in the same blue ink. The east panel of the ball has been signed in period black ink by Hall Famer Ty Cobb with the added inscription “7/4/25”, in our opinion the signature rates a near 7. This incredible ball shows outstanding signs of game-use with considerable toning and may be the most significant Ty Cobb signed baseballs in existence. Accompanied by a full LOA from JSA and an additional LOA from PSA/DNA. Further accompanied by a LOA from the Lanemann family and an LOA from Robert Lifson, owner of Robert Edward Auctions, where the ball originally sold publically for over $20,000 in 2006.