Watch CBS News

Legendary Baseball Signed By Babe Ruth Fetches $250K At Auction

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A baseball of legendary proportions, signed by Babe Ruth with a promise to a sick child, was recently auctioned for more than $200,000.

Ruth signed the baseball for Johnny Sylvester, and wrote a promise to hit a home run for the boy during his next game, WCBS 880 reported Saturday. He wound up hitting three that game.

The ball fetched $250,000 at an auction on Friday.

Andrew Lilley, director of the documentary film "I'll Knock a Homer for You: The Timeless Story of Johnny Sylvester and Babe Ruth," spoke to WCBS 880 about the epic tale.

"The whole story behind the baseball is history. And I think it was a history that got distorted over the years through embellishments. It seemed like in every movie they could never get it right. And I always felt the whole story never needed any embellishments. It was amazing enough as it was," the director said.

The baseball had been on loan to the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum since the 1980s before it was sold.

Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.