Specializing in Sports & Americana Memorabilia,
Vintage Photography & Rock 'n' Roll.

Search


June 2005  >  Sports  >  Baseball Autographs

< previous lot  |  next lot >

Lot 611: Hank Greenberg Signed Document Regarding Babe Ruth's Homerun Record

ITEM DESCRIPTION

 
Reserve: $500.00
Winning Bid: $1,053.87
Price Realized: $1,259.38
Auction Date:6/26/2005 9:00 PM EST

For most of his career, Hank Greenberg was presumed to be carrying the fate of the Jewish people on his shoulders. In 1938, "Hammerin Hank" finished the season with 58 homeruns - a mere two shy of Babe Ruth's record. While some historians contend that anti-Semitism manifested itself through pitchers walking him, Greenberg always said otherwise. Offered is a one-page (8.5 x 11") document, featuring excerpts from the book "From Cobb to "Catfish" in which is recalled Greenberg's 1938 season. The interesting content, which is a true testament to Greenberg's feelings on his brush with the record books, reads in part, "The 1938 pursuit of Ruth found Greenberg in Cleveland on the final day, playing a double header. In the opening game Bob Feller set a record of 18 strikeouts, two by Greenberg. Time ran out before the second game, with Johnny Humphries pitching, could be completed. The umpire was George Moriarty, an Irishman who never backed off from a fight and who was fond of the popular Greenberg. There was no night ball yet in the American League, and and so at the end of seven innings, Moriarty said, "I'm sorry Hank, but I'll have to call the game. This is as far as I can go." "That's all right," answered Greenberg, "This is as far as I can go, too." Greenberg never openly complained that he came so close but missed in his quest of 60 homeruns. "I never compared myself to Ruth." he said, "Nobody could."" The document is signed by Greenberg, at the conclusion of the text, in Mint (10/10) black ink and rates NRMT-MT overall. There are many Greenberg signed documents on the market, but there are very few with such exceptional content.

BIDDING

The bidding for this lot has ended.


< previous lot  |  next lot >