Babe Ruth Wells Motor Co.

Babe Ruth set a record by hitting three home runs in game 4 of the 1926 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Sportsman's Park. Ruth would also do it again in the 1928 World Series, and the record for hitting 3 home runs in a single World Series game would not be matched until Reggie Jackson did it in 1977, then again in 2011 by Albert Pujols, and Pablo Sandoval n 2012. The Second home run Ruth hit that day, Oct. 6, 1926, was hit over the right field Pavilion, out of Sportsman's Park and onto the street. The ball took one bounce and broke the showroom window of the Wells Motor Company, bounded off a Chevrolet Coup, and back onto the street. The ball kept on rolling before a boy snatched it up, and took off running with it.

Employees of the Wells Motor Company tried to chase him down to recover the ball, but the boy was too fast. Later the boy showed up at the Yankee clubhouse, together with the possessors of the other two record breaking (and window breaking) baseballs that Ruth hit. The Babe autographed all three, marking them "No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3." The Wells Motor Co. window which Ruth smashed had been broken on four other occasions by home runs, but this was the Babes first offence. The window was insured and each time, the insurance company collected the money from the ball cub.

Following the game Babe Ruth visited the Wells Motor Co. to see the window that he broke, then poked his head though the empty pane while pictures were taken before a large crowd. Later Ruth was given the undamaged Chevy Coup that he hit. "Times have changed" said Ruth, "Some years ago it would have been a serious offense for any of us to break a window with a baseball. Now it brings a new Automobile."

The car was given to the Babe in exchange for advertising and publicity. The Wells Motor Co. didn't waste any time. Just a couple of days later, a sign was in place over the store that read: "WELLS MOTOR CO., WINDOW BROKEN when BABE RUTH, Drove The Ball Over Right Field Pavilion Breaking, All Records For Home Runs In One Series Game." Babe Ruth showed up for a photo shoot standing next to the car, and the full page advertisement was featured in the October 10, newspapers. The steering wheel was made to further promote the historic event. Customers that bought a car from the Wells motor company were give the option, with or without the Babe Ruth Steering Wheel.

The brushed steel Steering Wheel has an enameled bronze disc at the center that reads "BABE RUTH" at the top and "WELLS MOTOR Co." at the bottom. The center features a relief with the likeness of Babe Ruth over a Chevrolet Motor Car. The few steering wheels that hit the market show signs of rust, and aged enamel crackled or chipping away.

Babe Ruth Wells Motor Co. Steering Wheel


Babe Ruth Wells Motor Co. Steering Wheel Front	Babe Ruth Wells Motor Co. Steering Wheel Back


Wells Motor Co. Babe Ruth Record Breakers advertisement	Babe Ruth posing with Car in front of Wells Motor Co.

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