Ford Motor Co. Babe Ruth Baseball

This is a 1948 Ford Motor Company American Legion, Reach W. Harridge "Official American League" promotional mini baseball that features a secretarial signature of Babe Ruth. On the sweet spot directly below the Babe Ruth signature reads "Consultant - Ford Motor Company" and "1948 - American Legion Junior Baseball State Champions" printed on the bottom panel. The Runners Up received an "Official National League Spalding Ford C. Frick Pres. mini baseball that reads "State Runner Up"

American Legion baseball was established in 1925, and the Junior League tournament consisted of thousand of teams, played by teenaged boys ages 13-17 in 50 states. In 1948 the Ford Motor Company sponsored the tournament and dealers supplied uniforms for local teams. Babe Ruth was reengaged as consultant and director of operations. Ruth traveled across the country promoting the Junior league, despite being diagnosed with cancer in 1947. The Ford mini baseballs would be handed out to the participants in the state championship game where Babe Ruth would speak to the young ballplayers, with his deep and raspy voice.

It has been documented that Babe Ruth did sign some baseballs for the boys that participated in the tournament, but these baseball were Official size American League baseballs, and not the mini promo baseballs that were stamped Consultant-Ford Motor Company. The moni balls were most likely given out just to the State Champion teams. There has yet to be a Ford mini baseball that has surfaced into the hobby featuring an authenticated Babe Ruth signature.

Secretarial Signature - An autograph of a celebrity that is actually done by his or her secretary, an other assistant or even a spouse. Sports celebrities are bombarded by requests for autographs. Most don't have the time to answer all of the requests, so some have their secretaries do the signatures.

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	1948 Ford Motor Company Babe Ruth Promotional Baseball	1948 Babe Ruth Ford Motor Co. "Consultant" Contract announcement	1948 American Legion Junior Baseball State Runner-Up

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