A historic team photo of Babe Ruth from his time with the Baltimore Orioles is making waves at the Lelands Fall Classic Auction. This unique image, believed to be the earliest known original of Ruth as a professional player, is currently up for bids starting at $50,000.
The photo captures Ruth during the 1914 season, a pivotal year when his contract was sold to the Boston Red Sox, setting the stage for his legendary career and the infamous 'Curse of the Bambino.' This particular image is one of the few that showcases Ruth in an Orioles uniform, making it a highly sought-after piece of baseball memorabilia.
Previously sold for a record $190,000 in 2019, the photo has already attracted interest, with bids surpassing $70,000 as of now. The auction will remain open until October 19, and given its historical significance, the final price is expected to climb significantly.
Aside from this photo, the only other known images of Ruth in an Orioles jersey are his 1914 rookie card and a newspaper article from that era. As the world's first sports memorabilia auction house, Lelands has a history of selling record-setting Ruth items, including a 1920 Yankees jersey that fetched $4.5 million.
This auction not only highlights the enduring appeal of Babe Ruth but also reflects the growing market for rare sports memorabilia.