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The baseball, which is inscribed to “Troop 6 Larchmont Boy Scouts from Babe Ruth,” is on the auction block, with a “generous portion” of the final sales price to be donated to the Boy Scouts by consignor Jack Coughlin.
The “Fall Classic Auction” closes on Saturday, Nov. 18.
Coughlin, who was a lifelong scout, obtained the ball in 1948, when a group of scouts were tossing it around a gymnasium at the Murray Avenue school and he confiscated it as a safety precaution. The Scoutmaster of Troop 6 at the time, Coughlin confiscated the ball and found that it was signed by the player many consider to be the greatest to ever play Major League Baseball.
The ball was brought to the Troop by a father who was no longer active in the Troop, and it remained in an equipment box for several years, according to legend. Designated by the Troop Committee, Coughlin attempted to return the ball to its rightful owner, but nobody knew where it came from. The Troop wound up giving the ball to Coughlin in appreciation for his 20 years as Scoutmaster.
Steiner Auctions Director Dave Amerman said that the baseball “is in very good condition and has a strong signature.” It is expected to fetch upwards of $15,000, with proceeds being shared by Coughlin and the Westchester-Putnam Council.
Those interested in viewing the ball or placing a bid can do so online.
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