Through most of a career that lasted from 1924 through 1935, Earle Combs (nicknamed “The Kentucky Colonel”) played centerfield and batted leadoff for the powerful New York Yankees. He had a career of 325 batting average and was part of three World Series championships, including the “Murderer’s Row” team of 1927 -- considered by many, the greatest team in baseball history. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970.

This is the glove Earle used when he patrolled centerfield at Yankee Stadium. Babe Ruth played rightfield during Earles’s career. Earle’s blazing speed helped him get to a lot of flyballs that Ruth could not have flagged down. It was common knowledge that he made the Babe look good in the outfield.

Earle’s glove comes from his niece, Margaret Combs Nelson and her letter is a fun read.

Earle Combs, Hall of Fame, Yankee centerfielder, 1924-1935.