Historically Important 1935 Babe Ruth Multi-Signed Glove (JSA)

Auction: Fall Classic 2022

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Ruth and Gehrig

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Historically Important 1935 Babe Ruth Multi-Signed Glove (JSA)

Presented is a 1935 historically significant Ruth multi-signed fielder's glove for a right-hander. It is suitable for a youth, the manufacturer is not visible, and the small (5.5x7.5") Model 1632 leather glove not only contains the signatures of baseball immortals Babe Ruth and Dizzy Dean, but the glove almost certainly was signed at one of the most important spring training games in baseball history; the March 20, 1935, meeting at Waterfront Park in St. Petersburg, Florida, between Ruth's new team, the National League Boston Braves, and Dizzy Dean's team, the St. Louis Cardinals. The signature is one of the earliest Ruth autographs from his tenure with the Braves. The Babe's signature is a vertical autograph (grade 7) on the thumb. Dean signed with a vertical signature (grade 9) on the glove just below the pinky finger. Both the Ruth and Dean signatures were signed in blue ink from a steel-tip fountain pen. Four other signatures are on the glove, and all of the total of six signatures have been written in blue ink from a fountain pen, The names of Ruth and Dean's teams has been printed, in an unknown hand, next to each player's autograph, with Ruth's signature also having the year (1935) printed in an unknown hand near it. Additional signatures on the glove: Jerry Gruenwald (Braves), Bob Brown (Cardinals), and Joe K. Wood (team unknown) and a sixth signature that is illegible. The factor that makes this signed glove especially important is that at the base of the glove, also written in blue ink by an unknown hand, is "St. Petersburg/Florida/Mar 20th/35." It was on that date that Babe Ruth faced Dizzy Dean for the first time in the Bambino's career. The back story to the March 20, 1935, exhibition game is fascinating. On Feb. 26, 1935, the New York Yankees gave Ruth his unconditional release. Ruth signed a contract with the National League's Boston Braves to be a player, vice president, assistant manager and consultant. Reporters promptly interviewed baseball executives, players, and managers seeking comments on the news. An Associated Press article on Feb. 27th in The New York Times quoted Dizzy Dean: "He [Ruth] made all his money in the American League so why doesn't he stay there... I don't believe he was ever worth $80,000 a year." When told that Ruth might eventually take the place of Bill McKechnie, the Braves' manager, Dean replied, "Why come over to the National League to knock a guy out of a job? I resent Ruth coming to the National League....I am going to pan him every time I see him in a National League Park." Three weeks later, Ruth and Dean were opponents in the March 20th exhibition game, with Dizzy Dean starter for the Cardinals. in St. Petersburg before a record crowd of 6,467. Dean did not allow a hit to Ruth, although the Babe did hit a ball 350 feet to the outfield for an out. After his stint on the mound, Dean went over to the Yankee dugout to make peace with Ruth, the stars shook hands, and the "feud" was over. The offered glove is made of very thin leather. No manufacturer's name is present. Stamped on the back is "Boys"/"Genuine Leather"/"1632." Although the glove has grommets for laces, the glove is more like a work glove. Written on the wrist strap is "Donald." Some small ink stains are on the front of the glove, and one of the stains touches on the Dean signature, but the signature and text are legible and clear. The glove exhibits light wear, and the wrist strap does not fasten. The signed glove comes with a copy of The New York Times (Associated Press) article on the game. The multi-signed glove comes with a LOA pertaining to the Ruth and Dean signatures, from James Spence/JSA.