A signed baseball presented to Stan Musial as a minor leaguer by Babe Ruth is among the lead items in Heritage Auctions' sale of the Stan Musial collection, which will form part of its November 7-9 Sports Collectibles Catalog Auction in Dallas.
 Babe Ruth signed the ball just before Stan Musial's debut with the St Louis Cardinals |
The 1941 signed ball was autographed just prior to Musial's major league debut with the St Louis Cardinals, while the 20-year-old outfielder was still playing with the Rochester Red Wings. It is expected to make more than $40,000+.
The ball is described by the auction house as "the most significant Babe Ruth signed baseball to reach the hobby's auction block since a nearly pristine sphere inscribed to Ted Williams commanded a staggering $195,500 in April 2012."
It exhibits all the signs of game use and a light coating of shellac, which has preserved Ruth's side panel blue fountain pen ink at an 8/10 level. It is accompanied by a letter of authenticity and a letter of provenance from the Musial family.
Also valued at $40,000+ is the 2011 St Louis Cardinals world championship ring that was presented Musial.
Starring at $10,000+ is "arguably the greatest letter ever written from one ballplayer to another", a letter written by Ty Cobb to Stan Musial. Containing plenty of quote-worthy material, the pair talk batting averages, Williams and DiMaggio, slump busting and the evils of the sports writing profession.
"Seriously now, I know well that you averaged in 6 of your last 7 years .355. Does that give you a right to be so darn modest," Cobb writes. "So go out there now and lead the league again and if you don't lead both Major Leagues this year, you should be shot in the behind with mustard seed."
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a fantastic selection of sports memorabilia available.
