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In a family home in San Pedro, California, a grandson unearthed a baseball memorabilia gem that had been lying forgotten in his grandmother's drawer for six decades. This ordinary visit turned extraordinary when his grandmother presented him with a baseball signed by none other than Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner, igniting astonishment and marking the beginning of the baseball's journey from obscurity to the spotlight. The ball, acquired by the grandson's late husband in the 1930s, had been a family secret, its historic value unknown to even the closest relatives.

This baseball's significance was magnified when it was featured on Antiques Roadshow in 2014, drawing the attention of five million viewers and transforming it from a well-kept family secret to a celebrated piece of sports history. Now, the ball is making headlines again as it goes up for auction in Lelands' 2024 Winter Classic Auction, available for bidding until March 16.

The Ruth/Wagner baseball is not just any memorabilia; it represents a rare conjunction of signatures from two of the inaugural inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. Alongside Ruth and Wagner's autographs are those of Al Simmons and George Earnshaw, further enhancing the ball's allure. The ball's origins trace back to the consignor’s grandfather, an amateur baseball player and ship inspector who likely obtained Ruth’s signature during a 1933 post-season tour in Hawaii.

Praised for its pristine condition and high-quality signatures, the ball received top marks from both independent appraiser Leila Dunbar and Lelands, with the Ruth and Wagner autographs graded exceptionally high. Initially appraised at $30,000 on Antiques Roadshow, its value has since escalated to an estimated $80,000, reflecting the robust market for Ruth autographs and the rarity of such a well-preserved Wagner signature on a baseball.

The decision to auction the ball was made with the consignor's family in mind, aiming to provide for his two sons in a way more meaningful than keeping the baseball tucked away. As the ball moves from its quiet past to a future with a new owner, its journey from the Pacific to national television and now to the auction block underscores the enduring allure and emotional value of sports memorabilia.