Babe Ruth signed baseball sold for over $250k

A 1926 World Series baseball, signed by Babe Ruth, was auctioned off for $250,641 Thursday night.

Ruth promised Johnny Sylvester, a boy who suffered from an injury by falling off of a horse, that he would hit a home run for him. He gave the 11-year-old boy an autographed ball that said, “ I’ll known a homer for Wednesday’s game,” according to The Morning Call

During the Yankees’ fourth game of the World Series, Ruth did exactly that. He hit three home runs and soon after, it was reported that Sylvester’s health was, ironically, getting significantly better.

After this amazing occurrence, the signed ball was said to be one of the most famous signed baseballs. The baseball was sold by Grey Flannel Auctions—the buyer wishes to remain anonymous.

The ball’s last owner was Sylvester’s son, John Jr., and the ball was on loan for 25 years to the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore.

On the 119th anniversary of Babe Ruth’s birthday, the ball sold. Before Ruth passed in 1948, he stayed in contact with Sylvester all those years.

Two letters written to Sylvester by Ruth, sold for $71,553 and $76,747, espn.go.com