Babe Ruth $$$

[Snapolit1]

Single most iconic athlete in American history. I guess some could argue Michael Jordan.

[sb1]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Single most iconic athlete in American history. I guess some could argue Michael Jordan.

Perhaps in the first half of the 20th century, Muhammad Ali probably holds that title for the second half....even beyond Jordan. Just my opinion.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by sb1

Perhaps in the first half of the 20th century, Muhammad Ali probably holds that title for the second half....even beyond Jordan. Just my opinion.

I fully understand the Ruthian icon. But with so much of his stuff, even personalized, still around and commanding real serious money, I guess that shows just how big he truly (still) is.

[sbfinley]

No doubt Ruth was an amazing signer in his day, but 1,000,000 is an implausibly high number and more hyperbole of Ruth’s generous nature. If it takes 5 seconds to grab a ball, sign your name, and sit it down. You would have to sign 24/7 365 days a year without rest for 10 years to hit that number. I think a lower number like 3,000-5,000 signed balls is more into reality and like Scott stated: many of those balls didn’t survive to today. Supply and demand.

[nineunder71]

I like your theory, but your math is WAY off

86,400 seconds in a day divided by 5 (your estimation) = 17,280 signatures a day x 365 would be over 6 million signatures a year.

PRICE CHECK on isle 5 please, I’ll buy any Ruth signature you wish to return sir.

Originally Posted by sbfinley

No doubt Ruth was an amazing signer in his day, but 1,000,000 is an implausibly high number and more hyperbole of Ruth’s generous nature. If it takes 5 seconds to grab a ball, sign your name, and sit it down. You would have to sign 24/7 365 days a year without rest for 10 years to hit that number. I think a lower number like 3,000-5,000 signed balls is more into reality and like Scott stated: many of those balls didn’t survive to today. Supply and demand.

[sbfinley]

Don’t think your special because you know numbers.

Originally Posted by nineunder71

I like your theory, but your math is WAY off

86,400 seconds in a day divided by 5 (your estimation) = 17,280 signatures a day x 365 would be over 6 million signatures a year.

PRICE CHECK on isle 5 please, I’ll buy any Ruth signature you wish to return sir.

[Snowman]

1,000,000 baseballs? lol. I'd take the under on 100,000. Let alone 1 million.

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

No doubt Ruth was an amazing signer in his day, but 1,000,000 is an implausibly high number and more hyperbole of Ruth’s generous nature. If it takes 5 seconds to grab a ball, sign your name, and sit it down. You would have to sign 24/7 365 days a year without rest for 10 years to hit that number. I think a lower number like 3,000-5,000 signed balls is more into reality and like Scott stated: many of those balls didn’t survive to today. Supply and demand.

He signed WAY more balls than that. There's photos of him signing hundreds of balls at one time. 1,000,000 is probably too high but 5,000 is not even close.

[philo98]

Originally Posted by Tabe

He signed WAY more balls than that. There's photos of him signing hundreds of balls at one time. 1,000,000 is probably too high but 5,000 is not even close.

Yes even in the book “Big Fella” by Jane Leavy, she references at certain points where Ruth signed hundreds of balls, even dropping hundreds of them off the train through the towns he passed through. It certainly wouldn’t be 1 million but without a doubt waaaayyyyy more than 5000.

[FourStrikes]

Originally Posted by sb1

Perhaps in the first half of the 20th century, Muhammad Ali probably holds that title for the second half....even beyond Jordan. Just my opinion.

agree - Ali = Gandhi, Jordan = Elvis.

JMHO.