Posted By:
Tom L.First card of Ruth as a major leaguer that was:
- distributed with another product (gum) to increase sales of that product,
- and that product was distributed on a national basis.
This rules out:
- Baltimore News (minor league)
- various incarnations of Sporting News Ruths (most weren't national; Sporting News versions weren't necessarily distributed to increase sales of a product)
- American Caramel Ruths (not truly national)
- any regional NY issues.
- all of the rinky dink sets of the late 1920s (not national).
- 1932 US Caramels (again a regional issue).
So, even though Ruth was well past his prime and in the waning years of his career, and even though the only thing even remotely resembling a rookie with regard to Ruth were the young women on his party circuit, the 1933 Goudey Ruth must be his rookie. And of all the Ruth Goudey 1933 rookies, the in-action pose above is clearly the preferred card.
Ya right. [Not sure if I believe any of this crap above, but you asked for justification.]