Babe Ruth baseball memorabilia and collectibles are popular items among sports enthusiasts and baseball fans. Often referred to as America's favorite pastime, baseball is among the most loved games in the country. Babe Ruth is one of the most recognized and respected legends of the sport, so it only makes sense that collectors seek out mementos of his storied career.
Popularity of Babe Ruth Collectibles
Babe Ruth's career left an indelible mark on baseball history. During his career, he played for the Boston Red Sox from 1914 - 1919, the New York Yankees from 1920 - 1934, and the Boston Braves in 1935. Ruth is famous for many different things related to baseball. Even though many of the records he set have long since been broken, he is still recognized as one of the greatest hitters of all time. He will always be the first player to hit a home run in Yankee Stadium, which is still referred to today as the House the Ruth Built. Ruth is also credited with the so-called "Curse of the Bambino" that kept the Red Sox out of the World Series record books for more than 40 years.
Displays Featuring Babe Ruth Baseball Memorabilia and Collectibles
Babe Ruth's name is synonymous with baseball history, and many items representing his career are displayed in museums around the country.
Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum
The Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum is located in Baltimore, just a few blocks away from the current home stadium of the Baltimore Orioles, Camden Yards.
A Sampling of Exhibits Documenting Ruth's Life Include:
- Birth certificate
- Catcher's mitt & jersey from days as a schoolboy
- Display honoring members of the 500 home run club
- Photographs and items from his family life
- Re-creation of childhood home
- Uniforms and equipment used during professional career
Baseball Hall of Fame
Babe Ruth was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. Fans can view an impressive collection of Babe Ruth photographs on the Hall of Fame's website, which also features a video biography. Visitors to the Cooperstown facility can tour the museum's Babe Ruth Room, which features many one-of-a-kind exhibits documenting his great career.
Atlanta Braves Museum and Hall of Fame
The Atlanta Braves Museum & Hall of Fame at Turner Field in Atlanta documents the entire history of the franchise, starting with its beginnings in Boston. The museum includes an exhibit dedicated to Babe Ruth's days as a Boston Brave.
Building Your Collection of Babe Ruth Baseball Memorabilia and Collectibles
While many of the valuable and historically significant mementos of the Bambino's storied career are owned by museums, there are many options for individuals who wish to honor Babe Ruth's memory with their own collections.
Art.com carries a nice selection of posters, fine art prints, tin signs, and photographs of Babe Ruth.
Grandstand Sports specializes in autographed memorabilia, and has an excellent inventory of items that will impress even the most serious of collectors.
Leland's is the world's largest auction house specializing in sports memorabilia. Leland's has handled the sale of many significant pieces of baseball history, including the document detailing the sale of Babe Ruth to the Yankees, which sold for $99,000. Serious collectors can find amazing items here, assuming they check in regularly and are ready to bid when items become available.
eBay can be an excellent resource for sports memorabilia collectibles. With listed items changing every day, sports enthusiasts can often find unique items to add to their collections.
Books About Babe Ruth
No collection of Babe Ruth memorabilia is complete without a library of books written about the baseball hero. Some of the best books written about the Bambino include:
- Babe: The Legend Comes to Life by Robert Creamer
- Babe Ruth: A Biography by Wayne Stewart
- Babe Ruth: A Daughter's Portrait by George Beim
- Babe Ruth and the 1918 Red Sox by Allan Wood
- Babe Ruth Slept Here: The Baseball Landmarks of New York City by Jim Reisler
- Home Run: The Story of Babe Ruth by Robert Burleigh
- The Big Bam: The Life and Times of Babe Ruth by by Leigh Montville
- The Year Babe Ruth Hit 104 Home Runs: Recrowning Baseball's Greatest Slugger by Bill Jenkinson
Building Your Collection
Creating a collection of Babe Ruth baseball memorabilia and collectibles is much more than just building an exhibit. In our society, every generation, from Little Leaguers to retirees, is somehow touched by the sport. It's important for those who enjoy playing or watching modern baseball understand where it came from and how it evolved throughout history. Sports enthusiasts who document the early heroes of baseball are doing their part to make sure the sport lives on, while at the same time paying homage to the great players who helped make it an American Institution.
