Babe Ruth Barnstorming Broadside, Circa 1920's

Babe Ruth’s forthcoming appearance at Lake Oscawana, New York is touted on this multicolor broadside featuring a full-length image of Ruth at bat. To our knowledge, this is the only known example of this period Babe Ruth display piece. Framed. Good to very good condition, with a number of small tears and creases.

To supplement their income, professional ballplayers often embarked on barnstorming tours during their off season, despite the fact that in 1912 the owners passed a rule prohibiting players on the World Series teams from going on tour, to ensure prime interest in the series. Following the 1919 and 1920 seasons, Babe Ruth earned hefty fees in these tours and planned another after the 1921 season. Despite playing in the Series, he ignored the rule, thinking the worst thing that could happen would be losing his World Series pay. Instead, Commissioner Kenesaw Landis suspended Ruth, Bob Meusel and Bill Piercy for the first six weeks of the 1922 season. Ruth reacted poorly to the decision, starting slowly. He still managed to hit .317 with 35 homeruns and 99 RBIs, but he fought with fans, umpires and even teammates. In the 1922 World Series Ruth hit an embarrassing .118 with no homeruns, as the Giants swept the Yankees. However, 1923 would be the season of redemption for Babe and the Bronx Bombers.