This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/13/2024
This rare, original news photo from Underwood & Underwood offers a window into the heart of the 1915 Boston Red Sox, capturing the legendary pitching staff as they stand shoulder-to-shoulder before a game. Lined up in their uniforms, from left to right, are Foster, Mays, Shore, Ruth—just a fresh-faced rookie—and Leonard, each casting a steady gaze toward the field. Behind them, scattered fans fill the bleachers, likely unaware they’re witnessing baseball history in the making. The photo measures 4 3/4" x 4" and is certified as a Type I Authentic by PSA, this well-preserved photograph freezes a season of dominance for the Red Sox, who would go on to secure 101 regular-season victories and the American League title. This powerhouse pitching squad, boasting a collective ERA of 2.008, anchored Boston's success. At just 20 years old, Babe Ruth had already begun to make his mark, logging more than 217 innings and allowing only three home runs all season. With an 18-8 record and a personal ERA of 2.52, he was quickly proving himself as one of Boston’s most reliable arms—a hard-throwing lefty destined for greatness. Long before he became “The Sultan of Swat,” Ruth was a young ace in Boston’s rotation, leading the Red Sox to their 1915 World Series triumph over the Philadelphia Phillies in just five games. In this photo, he doesn’t yet carry the mythic aura that would later define him; he looks like any other ballplayer, his expression plain and serious as he stands among his teammates. Yet, it’s the beginning of a legend—a quiet moment before the thunder of his fame. This photograph doesn’t just commemorate one of the finest pitching rotations of its time; it offers a rare, intimate look at the dawn of Babe Ruth’s career and the early seeds of a dynasty.