Offered is a “Pride of the Yankees” multi-signed baseball with the signature of Babe Ruth in black pen, as well as the signatures of Eleanor Gehrig (widow of Lou Gehrig), Sam Wood (Director of the film “Pride of the Yankees”), Walter Brennan (co-star of the film), Babe Herman and Christy Walsh. The signatures of Academy Award winning actor Gary Cooper and Bill Dickey “are traced by an unknown hand.” Babe Ruth has signed his name in black pen below the sweet spot in clear, bold letters. The ball is inscribed on the sweet spot, in black pen “Walter Brennan with appreciation, Eleanor Gehrig.” Above the sweet spot is inscribed a shamrock in green pen, and the inscription “My Favorite – Walter Brennan! Christy Walsh”. The ball is mounted on a black wood stamp roller and engraved in gold “The Pride of the Yankees” and “Compliments of Christy Walsh”. The bottom of the roller is covered in blue felt.
“The Pride of the Yankees” is a 1942 film produced by Samuel Goldwyn, directed by Sam Wood, and starring Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, and Walter Brennan. It is a tribute to the legendary New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig, who died only one year before its release, at age 37, from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which later became known to the public as "Lou Gehrig's disease". Christy Walsh is considered to be the first sports agent, who worked on behalf of Babe Ruth throughout his baseball career. Walsh later assisted Lou Gehrig’s widow, Eleanor Gehrig, in negotiations with Samuel Goldwyn on the making of the film, and secured Babe Ruth’s appearance as himself in the movie. This baseball was gifted to Gene Autry, the original owner of the Los Angeles/California/Anaheim Angels of Major League Baseball and a former movie star himself. This item comes with a color photocopy of a Letter of Authenticity from his widow, Jackie Autry. Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from Beckett Authentication Services (BAS).