Babe Ruth $$$

[Snapolit1]

If Babe Ruth signed a million balls, guys not named Babe Ruth signed about 500,000 Babe Ruth balls.

Would be interesting to know what Babe was really like. In my experience, guys who drink as heavily as he reportedly did generally are a little difficult to be around fulltime and sustain relationships with. And combined with his huge ego, Babe was no doubt a difficult guy, despite all the rosy stories about how "fun" and generous he was. I suspect Babe fell somewhere on the spectrum near Jackie Gleason.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

If Babe Ruth signed a million balls, guys not named Babe Ruth signed about 500,000 Babe Ruth balls.

Would be interesting to know what Babe was really like. In my experience, guys who drink as heavily as he reportedly did generally are a little difficult to be around fulltime and sustain relationships with. And combined with his huge ego, Babe was no doubt a difficult guy, despite all the rosy stories about how "fun" and generous he was. I suspect Babe fell somewhere on the spectrum near Jackie Gleason.

I was lucky to have known many players who played with and against Ruth. Not one of them mentioned him being difficult at all. In fact, they were all in admiration, if not full-on awe of him. Your theory has great validity and had to be true at times, but it was never confirmed by the first-hand sources I knew. He treated all of them with the storied kindness and generosity that you'd think was a bit exaggerated. I'll take them at their word. If any of them ever felt mistreated or slighted by Ruth, it would have undoubtedly come up in conversation. I'm sure that a lot of the difficulties you envision were reserved more for higher-ups than other players--especially younger, lesser players. As we know, Ruth had a soft spot for underdogs. Through the combination of his ego and performance, Ruth had the enviably unique position of not having to worry about any young upstart taking his job until his final season as a Yankee. He could afford to be nice. (Even during 1925, I surmise that his ego gave him the assurance that things would blow over, as they did.)

The vast majority of the players I knew were younger than Ruth and came along after the phenomenon and legend was already well established. Naturally, this type of player would be in awe of him. Simultaneously, if Ruth burst their bubble of what they thought he would be before meeting him, they'd have piped up. None ever did. Only good things. I even befriended a couple of guys who were more Ruth's age and didn't hold him in such an exalted light. They still spoke of the same qualities in Ruth, but with less reverence, as they hadn't grown up dreaming of being Babe Ruth!

[Snapolit1]

That's really cool. Thanks for sharing that insight.

As you imply, how Babe treated younger up and coming guys later in his career might not have been indicative of how he treated rivals and other who were in the spotlight at the same time. Don't mean to suggest he was a bad guy, as many reports were he was not at all and generally a good soul, but even good souls can be a real handful when they are boozing big time.





=BillyCox3;2146610]I was lucky to have known many players who played with and against Ruth. Not one of them mentioned him being difficult at all. In fact, they were all in admiration, if not full-on awe of him. Your theory has great validity and had to be true at times, but it was never confirmed by the first-hand sources I knew. He treated all of them with the storied kindness and generosity that you'd think was a bit exaggerated. I'll take them at their word. If any of them ever felt mistreated or slighted by Ruth, you'd think it would have come up in conversation. I'm sure that a lot of the difficulties you envision were reserved more for higher-ups than other players--especially younger, lesser players. As we know, Ruth had a soft spot for underdogs.

The vast majority of the players I knew were younger than Ruth and came along after the phenomenon and legend was already well established. Naturally, this type of player would be in awe of him. Simultaneously, if Ruth burst their bubble of what they thought he would be before meeting him, they'd have piped up. None ever did. Only good things. I even befriended a couple of guys who were more Ruth's age and didn't hold him in such an exalted light. They still spoke of the same qualities in Ruth, but with less reverence, as they hadn't grown up dreaming of being Babe Ruth![/QUOTE]

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

If Babe Ruth signed a million balls, guys not named Babe Ruth signed about 500,000 Babe Ruth balls.

Would be interesting to know what Babe was really like. In my experience, guys who drink as heavily as he reportedly did generally are a little difficult to be around fulltime and sustain relationships with. And combined with his huge ego, Babe was no doubt a difficult guy, despite all the rosy stories about how "fun" and generous he was. I suspect Babe fell somewhere on the spectrum near Jackie Gleason.

So how many balls did Jackie Gleason sign?

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

So how many balls did Jackie Gleason sign?

They do exist!

[maniac_73]

Since we're on the point of player exaggerations, I don't believe Wade Boggs drank 107 beers in a day

[FourStrikes]

Originally Posted by maniac_73

Since we're on the point of player exaggerations, I don't believe Wade Boggs drank 107 beers in a day

truth.

[SteveS]

When somebody is the very best at something, he or she is referred to as "The Babe Ruth of Such-and-Such."
Wayne Gretzky was "The Babe Ruth of Hockey." Arnold Palmer was "The Babe Ruth of Golf" (and later Jack and Tiger). Not only did they excel in their sport, but they transcended it and brought it to a whole new level and popularity. Babe Ruth transcended all of them. His home runs and personality were what the country needed during a crippling Depression. The fact that he died relatively young also increased his legendary status (as it has a tendency to do with celebrities). But because of his popularity, a lot of stuff was produced. There's no item that has the rarity or iconic status as does the T206 Wagner or '52 Mantle (which really aren't that rare). So while Babe items are absolutely expensive and command a premium, they are probably not as expensive as they could be based on his larger-than-life status. A Mike Trout card should never sell for more than a Babe Ruth card, regardless if it's a 1/1 or anything else. People are starting to realize that, and the days of relatively affordable Ruth items are winding down.

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by SteveS

When somebody is the very best at something, he or she is referred to as "The Babe Ruth of Such-and-Such."
Wayne Gretzky was "The Babe Ruth of Hockey." Arnold Palmer was "The Babe Ruth of Golf" (and later Jack and Tiger). Not only did they excel in their sport, but they transcended it and brought it to a whole new level and popularity. Babe Ruth transcended all of them. His home runs and personality were what the country needed during a crippling Depression. The fact that he died relatively young also increased his legendary status (as it has a tendency to do with celebrities). But because of his popularity, a lot of stuff was produced. There's no item that has the rarity or iconic status as does the T206 Wagner or '52 Mantle (which really aren't that rare). So while Babe items are absolutely expensive and command a premium, they are probably not as expensive as they could be based on his larger-than-life status. A Mike Trout card should never sell for more than a Babe Ruth card, regardless if it's a 1/1 or anything else. People are starting to realize that, and the days of relatively affordable Ruth items are winding down.

I couldn't agree more. I find myself in between with respect to collecting vintage and modern cards. I have some "big(ish)" Trout rookies (Topps Gold, Diamond Anniversary, etc) and I have several vintage cards of similar value. But when I look at a nice ~$10k Babe Ruth card and compare it to a nice ~$10k Mike Trout (or pick your other modern superstar) I just can't help but always think the Ruth is by far the better buy, especially in the modern era of exponential hobby growth and investors flooding in. High-end vintage is going to dry up at some point. They'll continue to make Mike Trout 1-of-1's and gold refractors and kaleidoscope whoseitsandwhatsits gallore, but there will always be a limited supply of early legends. Even if there are ~10,000 33 Goudey Ruths out there, that's still just a drop in the bucket compared to modern cards. PSA alone has already graded over 50,000 Zion Williamson 2019 Prizm cards. And that's just ONE product line. They have numerous other product lines with similar pop counts (Mosaic, Chronicles, Donruss, Hoops, Optic, Contenders, Spectra, NT, on-and-on-and-on). There are well in excess of a million Zion Williamson rookie cards in total today, and that's no exaggeration. I just sold a modern high-end Zion Williamson card last week and used the funds to buy 2 Babe Ruths, a handful of nice Willie Mays cards, and a Jim Brown RC. And I'm a big believer in Zion Williamson too. But I'll take that trade any day of the week and twice on Sundays. History matters, and particularly in this hobby. I say get em while you still can.

[jingram058]

Folks, you just can't explain away or revise or re-write history, or say something is exaggerated, just because you don't like it or disagree or think things have evolved into something you think just has to be better or whatever. Some things just are what they are. Accept it. Deal with it. Ruth was and is bigger than life, even now decades after his death. This photo shows him signing a huge pile of baseballs. Name another ballplayer or athlete or anyone for that matter in a setting that even approaches this. He did this on a daily basis, even on playing days after eating 26 hot dogs washed down with 2 pitchers of beer, for 28 years. He took pleasure in doing it. The people (plural) who knew him say it is so - his wife, his daughters, his inner circle of friends. His manager (agent) Christy Walsh not only said it was so, he also said Ruth hired (for pay) an army of people to mail out the colossal number of signed baseballs (and all the other stuff) back to the fans who either sent things to be signed or just asked for an autograph. He didn't ask for compensation for doing it. Accept it, deal with it. He did everything he did in life far beyond what anyone else did, or even could do, because he was Babe Ruth.

[GasHouseGang]

Babe Ruth was bigger than life during the 1930's. He dominated sports headlines across the country. Because of that he appeared on many items. Some items were produced in the millions, and others in much smaller numbers. I picked up this item and figure it's probably fairly rare, but not very valuable. It has Babe Ruth and Tom Mix together on a card. The rest of the set are supposed to help you work on your eyesight. I'm guessing it came out in the 1930's.

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Folks, you just can't explain away or revise or re-write history, or say something is exaggerated, just because you don't like it or disagree or think things have evolved into something you think just has to be better or whatever. Some things just are what they are. Accept it. Deal with it. Ruth was and is bigger than life, even now decades after his death. This photo shows him signing a huge pile of baseballs. Name another ballplayer or athlete or anyone for that matter in a setting that even approaches this. He did this on a daily basis, even on playing days after eating 26 hot dogs washed down with 2 pitchers of beer, for 28 years. He took pleasure in doing it. The people (plural) who knew him say it is so - his wife, his daughters, his inner circle of friends. His manager (agent) Christy Walsh not only said it was so, he also said Ruth hired (for pay) an army of people to mail out the colossal number of signed baseballs (and all the other stuff) back to the fans who either sent things to be signed or just asked for an autograph. He didn't ask for compensation for doing it. Accept it, deal with it. He did everything he did in life far beyond what anyone else did, or even could do, because he was Babe Ruth.

It is certainly a great photo, and I have no doubt that the stories about him signing insanely large amounts of baseballs with regularity are true, and that he did it simply for the love of the game and the appreciation he had for the fans that allowed him to be the larger than life figure he became. As a mathematician, I may quibble about specific numbers for a "fun" debate, but ultimately the numbers themselves don't really matter. It's the story of Ruth and the passing along of history over the generations, and the pieces of memorabilia themselves that make collecting so much fun. I love seeing all these old photos and oddball collectibles that people come up with.

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by maniac_73

Since we're on the point of player exaggerations, I don't believe Wade Boggs drank 107 beers in a day

Maybe if they made chicken flavored beer...

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Gary Dunaier

chicken flavored beer...

Oh, that's just wrong...

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

So how many balls did Jackie Gleason sign?

Highballs or baseballs? I don't think there has ever been a more prodigious autograph signer in the game than Cal Ripken; he might have signed 1M times for his fans.

[egri]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Highballs or baseballs? I don't think there has ever been a more prodigious autograph signer in the game than Cal Ripken; he might have signed 1M times for his fans.

Bob Feller and Bobby Doerr would like a word.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

We joke all the time that if you find something Pete Rose themed, that he hasn't signed, don't let him see it.

Used to make the same joke about Feller before he died.

[nineunder71]

This is funny

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

We joke all the time that if you find something Pete Rose themed, that he hasn't signed, don't let him see it.

Used to make the same joke about Feller before he died.

[obcbobd]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

If Babe Ruth signed a million balls, guys not named Babe Ruth signed about 500,000 Babe Ruth balls.

Would be interesting to know what Babe was really like. In my experience, guys who drink as heavily as he reportedly did generally are a little difficult to be around fulltime and sustain relationships with. And combined with his huge ego, Babe was no doubt a difficult guy, despite all the rosy stories about how "fun" and generous he was. I suspect Babe fell somewhere on the spectrum near Jackie Gleason.

Check out "Babe, the legend comes to life" by Robert Creamer. Might give you a better feel for what he was like.

[obcbobd]

i would think he was probably the most beloved athlete ever. No saint, but that was part of the appeal.



Was There Ever a Guy Like Ruth?
By John Kieran 1927

You may sing your song of the good old days till the phantom cows come home;
You may dig up glorious deeds of yore from many a dusty tome;
You may rise to tell of Rube Waddell and the way he buzzed them through,
And top it all with the great fastball that Rusie’s rooters knew.
You may rant of Brouthers, Keefe and Ward and half a dozen more;
You may quote by rote from the record book in a way that I deplore;
You may rave, I say, till the break of day, but the truth remains the truth:
From “One Old Cat” to the last “At Bat”, was there ever a guy like Ruth?

He can start and go, he can catch and throw, he can field with the very best.
He’s the Prince of Ash and the King of Crash, and that’s not an idle jest.
He can hit that ball o’er the garden wall, high up and far away,
Beyond the aftermost picket lines where the fleet-foot fielders stray.
He’s the Bogey Man of the pitching clan and he clubs ’em soon and late;
He has manned his guns and hit home runs from here to the Golden Gate;
With vim and verve he has walloped the curve from Texas to Duluth,
Which is no small task, and I beg to ask: Was there ever a guy like Ruth?

You may rise and sing till the rafters ring that sad and sorrowful strain:
“They strive and fail–it’s the old, old tale; they never come back again.”
Yes, it’s in the dope, when they hit the slope they’re off for the shadowed vale,
But the great, big Bam with the circuit slam came back on the uphill trail;
Came back with cheers from the drifted years where the best of them go down;
Came back once more with a record score to wear a brighter crown.
My voice may be loud above the crowd and my words just a bit uncouth,
But I’ll stand and shout till the last man’s out: There was never a guy like Ruth!

[luciobar1980]

Guys, there's no way in HELL he signed 1 million balls. C'mon. Do you know how much 1 million is!?!? haha

[Exhibitman]

It's been mentioned in a couple of threads already but Memory Lane has an insane Ruth auction up right now. And no, I do not have any cards in there, just enjoyed the eye candy and wanted to pass it along.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

It's been mentioned in a couple of threads already but Memory Lane has an insane Ruth auction up right now. And no, I do not have any cards in there, just enjoyed the eye candy and wanted to pass it along.

The Leaf Ruth is actually pretty gross and I strongly discourage anyone from bidding on it. I will disclose the “slight” conflict of interest that I want it.

[jingram058]

I don't know how many baseballs Babe Ruth actually signed. I have read over and over that he was the most prolific signer of them all. There is an article in "Baseball Digest" (I think, do not hold me to it), I forget which issue, somewhere in the mid-80s, that stated he signed upwards of 100 baseballs on any given day, sometimes more than that, and enjoyed doing it. And photos, scorecards, postcards, letters, etc., on top of that. If that figure is actually correct, and he started signing balls at that number per day in 1920, then there is your 1,000,000 signed baseballs.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by jingram058

I don't know how many baseballs Babe Ruth actually signed. I have read over and over that he was the most prolific signer of them all. There is an article in "Baseball Digest" (I think, do not hold me to it), I forget which issue, somewhere in the mid-80s, that stated he signed upwards of 100 baseballs on any given day, sometimes more than that, and enjoyed doing it. And photos, scorecards, postcards, letters, etc., on top of that. If that figure is actually correct, and he started signing balls at that number per day in 1920, then there is your 1,000,000 signed baseballs.

On his hot dog eating binge days it was likely that he signed fewer than 100 balls, as overindulgence in the hot dog department is, unfortunately, a time consuming affair.

Brian

[nineunder71]

Bob, you the man

This is an awesome post, thanks for sharing

Originally Posted by obcbobd

i would think he was probably the most beloved athlete ever. No saint, but that was part of the appeal.



Was There Ever a Guy Like Ruth?
By John Kieran 1927

You may sing your song of the good old days till the phantom cows come home;
You may dig up glorious deeds of yore from many a dusty tome;
You may rise to tell of Rube Waddell and the way he buzzed them through,
And top it all with the great fastball that Rusie’s rooters knew.
You may rant of Brouthers, Keefe and Ward and half a dozen more;
You may quote by rote from the record book in a way that I deplore;
You may rave, I say, till the break of day, but the truth remains the truth:
From “One Old Cat” to the last “At Bat”, was there ever a guy like Ruth?

He can start and go, he can catch and throw, he can field with the very best.
He’s the Prince of Ash and the King of Crash, and that’s not an idle jest.
He can hit that ball o’er the garden wall, high up and far away,
Beyond the aftermost picket lines where the fleet-foot fielders stray.
He’s the Bogey Man of the pitching clan and he clubs ’em soon and late;
He has manned his guns and hit home runs from here to the Golden Gate;
With vim and verve he has walloped the curve from Texas to Duluth,
Which is no small task, and I beg to ask: Was there ever a guy like Ruth?

You may rise and sing till the rafters ring that sad and sorrowful strain:
“They strive and fail–it’s the old, old tale; they never come back again.”
Yes, it’s in the dope, when they hit the slope they’re off for the shadowed vale,
But the great, big Bam with the circuit slam came back on the uphill trail;
Came back with cheers from the drifted years where the best of them go down;
Came back once more with a record score to wear a brighter crown.
My voice may be loud above the crowd and my words just a bit uncouth,
But I’ll stand and shout till the last man’s out: There was never a guy like Ruth!