BALTIMORE — Babe Ruth, one of the greatest home run kings in baseball history, was born and lived in Baltimore.
His old residence, now a museum, is just blocks from Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
The Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum unveiled a new exhibit on Thursday titled "The Making of a Legend."
The new exhibit will feature the Bambino's 1914 Baltimore News International League Orioles Rookie card and 14 other baseball cards from the 1914 Baltimore News set.
"This new exhibition, 'The Making of a Legend,' is huge for us," said Shawn Hearne, executive director of the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. "It's huge for Baltimore. Boston claims Babe Ruth, New York claims Babe Ruth, but he was born here. His very first rookie card, the rookie card, was with the Baltimore Orioles. Most people don't know, he was discovered by Baltimore."
The Making of a Legend exhibit will be open to the public on Friday, at the museum at 216 Emory Street.
According to Collectable, Babe Ruth's 1914 pre-rookie card is valued at $6 million.
Hearne said the card was donated by a man named Archibald Davis. The cards came in a cigarette pack in 1914.
"It is a extremely rare," Hearne said. "There are less than 10 of these (cards) in the world. Maybe we will here a few more pop up after this show pens. The Honus Wagner card, for the longest time, was the card everyone knew about and talked about. There are a lot more of those cards than there are Babe Ruth. Babe Ruth is bigger than Honus, so this is a big deal for us."
Babe Ruth had 714 home runs over his career.
