This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/28/2013
This is an incredible Spalding “Top-Flite” golf ball owned and played by baseball legend Babe Ruth whose name appears imprinted twice on the ball. Red and black color dimples appear on each of the two sides displaying Ruth’s name. “Spalding,” is stamped on one side and “Top-Flite,” on the other. The manufacturer Spalding is noted as the first manufacturer of golf balls in America beginning in 1895 and a primary manufacturer of major league baseball equipment of all kinds. Ruth took up the game of golf very early during his illustrious baseball career and actually became quite good at the sport. One such account published in the May 15, 1920 edition of the New York Times reports Ruth playing a round at a New Jersey country club with Yankees teammate Bob Shawkey and legendary sportswriter Grantland Rice and in a 1920’s newsreel Ruth instructs a group of young girls in the similarities between the swing of a golf club and baseball bat being quoted as follows: “The follow-through in both is exactly alike.” Soon after his baseball career, Ruth began appearing in golf tournaments, many to help raise money for the war effort. In one such 1941 contest Babe Ruth played three 18-hole matches against another baseball legend, Ty Cobb. While good at golf, Ruth enjoyed a phenomenal baseball career, finishing with a monumental record 714 homeruns and a single season record 60 home runs in 1927. Ruth was one of baseball's first recognized sluggers earning him the nickname the "Sultan of Swat" and Yankee Stadium's nickname "The House that Ruth Built." This is a rare chance to acquire such an historic and special ball played by the most legendary player in baseball history. Comes with a Gotta Have Rock & Roll Certicate of Authenticity.