Pic of the Day

Babe Ruth takes a swing for his new team, the Boston Braves, during a spring training game 90 years ago. The opposing team? Well, that would be the New York Yankees, who less than four weeks earlier — in late February 1935 — release the face of their franchise after 15 seasons. By 1935, the 40-year-old Ruth is entering what will be the final season of his Hall of Fame career, a season that lasts only a couple of months with the Braves before Ruth plays his final game on May 30, 1935 against the Phillies at Philadelphia’s Baker Bowl.

Today’s exercise in downsizing brings some hard-to-find items that you may want to add to your collection … and, of course, you do!

First, a rare 1995 Philadelphia Daily News poster signed by Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn. The poster — measuring approximately 10.5 x 13 inches — was limited in production and commemorated Ashburn’s 1995 induction into the Hall of Fame. Please check out the Merch Stand for more details. Price: $85, including shipping. SORRY, THIS ITEM IS SOLD OUT!

Second, a team-signed baseball by the 1998 Arizona Fall League’s Sun Cities Solar Sox. The ball from the prospect-oriented fall league is loaded with 27 signatures, including those of Mark DeRosa, Michael Barrett and Randy Wolf, as well as manager Fredi Gonzalez and pitching coach Darold Knowles. The ball is in outstanding condition with the signatures clear and bold. Team-signed baseballs from the AFL are hard to find, especially one from 25 years ago. Price: $32, including shipping.

Third, an Eastern League baseball signed by Tommy John, the 288-game winner in the major leagues who was Harrisburg’s pitching coach during the 2002 season. While there are tons of Tommy John-signed baseballs on the market, there are precious few Tommy John single-signed Eastern League baseballs available. Price: $65, including shipping.

Also available is a limited 1982 Hall of Fame metallic card signed by long-ago Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees infielder Joe Sewell. The card and signature are graded a mint 96 by SGC. Beautifully signed in black Sharpie. The special gold anodized aluminum card is the same size as a standard baseball card and features a replica of Sewell’s Hall of Fame plaque. Only 1,000 of them reportedly were made from 1981-89 and initially sold only through the Hall of Fame. Price: $32, including shipping.

For more information on ordering and to see other items, please check here. Hundreds of more items may be found on the website’s eBay page. Thanks for looking!