I'm not much of a Babe guy when it comes to memorabilia, but I've kept this original International News Photo in my collection because of the Indians connection. From June 1948, when Ruth's number was retired (glare on the photo is from the scan). The original teletype description is affixed to the back of the photo and reads:
The Bambino retires the 'Big 3'
New York .... Before the start of the game between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians, at New York's Yankee Stadium, the world of baseball paused to pay homage to one of its all-time greats, Babe Ruth. The Bambino is shown, (above), doffing his hat to the crowd as he makes an appearance in his famous number 3 Yankee uniform, thus making him the last Yankee ever to be allowed to wear the number 3 suit. Immediately after the Bambino takes off the uniform it will be turned over to Paul S. Kerr, secretary of baseball's Hall of Fame. It will be placed in the Cooperstown, N.Y., museum along with other mementoes of the Babe's great days. In the dugout behind the Babe, are members of Cleveland's team.
6/13/48 Photo by Harry Hirsch
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