Leon and Packs have shown you compelling cards from Babe's career that are do-able, though probably for more than 500 smackers. Period cards, those from the man's playing career, are the best. If you wish to have but one Ruth in your collection, and your heart's desire is a period Babe, by all means, forget what I said----go for the vintage!
I do wish to make sure you understand where I was coming from in urging you to consider the 2013 NSCC Promo Card that Never Was 1915 Cracker Jack Babe Ruth. If you don't already know, this fantasy card is pure quality, and still under $500. The word "still" connotes I am suggesting some day this fantasy will take $500 to buy it. Yes, I am. It would be a first, but this is no ordinary fantasy baseball card.
Arthur K. Miller, the talented creator of this small, but massive, cubic zirconia, poured a lot of thoughtful care into his fantasy card of Babe Ruth.
Mr. Miller shrewdly toned the borders down from today's diaper-white to bone china white, so they appear precisely as a genuine PSA MINT 9 Cracker Jack would look. Nice touch. The portrait he chose was perfect. Hands on hips, with the right "tough customer" countenance that marked his successful pitching career in Boston.
The colorization given Ruth was remarkable, as rich as Mr. Miller could make Babe, and yet still subdued as the real Cracker Jacks were.
Granted, PSA did not grant these fantasy Babes with a numerical grade. However, rum-dum factory seconds most assuredly were not ensconced into any of those PSA holders. Each and every one of the 500 specimens was PSA GEM MINT 10-worthy, trust me.
For those who don't want to trust me, and remain cynical, mule-headed snobs, I'm warning you this day. The time will come when the title / catch phrase of an old 1940s radio program shall ring loudly in your ears:
"YOU'LL BE SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Just don't shoot me, as Daffy Duck did to the brave chap who tried to warn Porky Pig of his impending doom as a contestant on "TRUTH, OR AAAHHHHHHHHH", in the Looney Tunes 1947 cartoon classic, "The Hucksters".
In all seriousness, collect whatcha like. You gotta work within your budget. Don't try to please everybody, as Ricky Nelson sang, just please yourself, bro.
Hey, you ask for opinions, you're bound to get a dozen different answers. In this instance, advice is cheaper by the dozen. Though I suppose, if you acted upon all the advice, it transpires to never cheaper by the dozen.
Take your time, bro. Then, once you see the Ruth you want, don't wait a second longer; otherwise someone else might bag it and you'll initiate a thread along the lines of "DIDJA EVER MISS OUT ON A CARD 'CAUSE YOU WAITED TOO LONG?" Most painful.
Best regards, Brian Powell