I never saw him play. He died 2 months and 2 days after I was born. But from the time I first knew about his exploits on a ballfield, he was who I wanted to be like.
In many ways we had the same type of youth. I was put in foster care at 10. He went to a home at age 7. Only difference was he was considered incorrigible, and I was simply a burden on my mom.
We were both left handed. He started out as a catcher, I played the outfield. Later I moved to 1st base. He lost his mother at 12 and was rarely visited by family.
My mom lived to be 42, and died when I was 24. My mom rarely visited me after I went in the home and in the 14 years between when she did that, and she died, I saw her exactly 7 times.
My hero? George Herman ( Babe ) Ruth. I read a book about his life when I was 8. Found it in the school library. I also read about some other players, Gehrig, and Ty Cobb. But there was just something bigger than life about the Babe.
I saw a movie about his life, and in a child’s eyes, I thought wow, he sure looks a lot like William Bendix! But most of that movie was Hollywood fantasy. Of course, you do not know that when you are that young.
He of course played himself in Pride of the Yankees with Gary Cooper as Gehrig. But even in the short scenes he had, that bigger than life personality came out.
Another thing about Babe, he loved kids. He spent a lot of time with the kids back in those days. Constantly autographing balls, and teaching them some of his secrets of the game.
He was a pretty good pitcher. But with the bat, he was a force. Many might not agree, but he saved the game in the years following the Black Sox scandal. His homers incited an excitement that the game had not seen.
So the dead ball went the way of the Dodo bird and the era of the power hitter arrived. For most of his career, no one could match him. Oh, some came close, most notably Foxx and Wilson. But none hit the prodigious shots he did.
He inspired awe even when striking out. His life style was as over the top as he was. He was known to down a half dozen hot dogs before a game, along with a few soda’s. It caught up to him in 1924. He became ill and suffered what one reporter called, the big bellyache.
He had won what would be his only batting title that year. But the Yankees lost the pennant to the Senators. He played only 96 games in 1925 and had what for him was a rather pedestrian season.
He was back to being Babe in 1926 although the Yanks lost the series to the Cardinals. That was the series where Grover Alexander struck out Tony Lazzeri with the bases loaded.
1927 he hit his 60 homers. A mark that would stand until Maris beat it in 1961. His called shot, or at least the legend of his called shot came in the 32 series against the Cubs. 1932 was also his last superstar type year.
He hit .301 in 33, but in 34 his average dipped to .288 with only 22 homers. Gehrig was the star of the team by then. Babe went on a barnstorming tour that winter. Ruppert, the Yankee owner began trying to find some team who would take Ruth as a manager. Connie Mack considered it, but then changed his mind. Ruppert did offer Ruth the manager position at the Yankees top farm team, but Ruth’s wife and agent talked him out of it.
Later Ruppert began discussions with the Boston Braves. The Braves were a modest success, but drew terribly. They wanted the Babe as a gate attraction. Fuch’s reportedly told Ruth he would get some of the profits, become a team vice president, and be consulted on all team transactions. In addition, he would be the assistant manager to Bill McKechnie. So on Feb 26th Babe was traded to Boston.
Babe hit a HR his first game back in Boston, and had 2 hits in the second game also. But after that, it was all downhill. Babe soon realized that he had been lied to by Fuchs and Ruppert, and asked to retire. Fuchs asked him to stay through a Memorial day doubleheader in Philly.
On May 25th, Ruth had one last great day in the majors. He went 4-4 with 3 homers, the last one of his career and the game went over the roof at Forbes Field. The first time anyone had hit a fair ball completely out of Forbes Field. Contrary to the movie about his life, he did not retire after that game. He kept his word to Fuch’s and played through the Memorial day double header.
On June 2nd, Ruth retired after an argument with Fuchs. The Braves, 10-27 when Babe left finished at 38-115. The worst winning percentage in modern baseball history. Ruth was elected to the Hall in 1936. He was the only member of that first class, Cobb, Wagner, Mathewson, and Johnson who was never offered a managerial job in the majors.
Not getting the chance to manage was a major disappointment to Babe. But most teams felt his flamboyant life style and personality would not be good traits for a manager. Not getting a managerial position caused him to go into a deep depression. The Dodgers hired him as a coach in 1938. He got along with everyone except Leo Durocher, who was hired to replace Grimes after the season, so Babe left.
He spoke at Lou Gehrig’s day at Yankee Stadium on July 4th in 1939. During the war he made many appearances to help the war effort. In 1946, Babe began experiencing pain behind his eye and had difficulty swallowing. He went to the hospital and a inoperable tumor was found. His fame allowed him to have many experimental treatments.
On April 27th there was an observance of Babe Ruth day around the majors. Many team mates spoke about Ruth at the ceremony, and Babe himself made a short statement. But his voice was low and very raspy. I have heard a recording of that speech, but do not know where to find it on tape. One June 13th, 1948 Babe made his final appearance at Yankee Stadium dressed in his familiar #3 uniform and leaning on a bat for support. I was born at 1:15 Am the next morning.
On August 16th, 1948, the Babe passed away. He was 53 years old. His open coffin was placed in the rotunda of Yankee Stadium for 2 days, and over 77,000 people viewed him during that time. Babe was laid to rest at Gates of Heaven cemetery in Hawthorne New York. Fans to this day still leave tributes at his grave site.
Larger than life, to many eyes the greatest baseball player that ever lived. I for one would agree. All around he was a great player. He was the savior of the game. And he was my first baseball hero.
Discussion (117)
Disagree, not disagreeable
The A’s are looking like the team to beat in the AL. 12-4 winning with great pitching and timely hitting. Glad we do not play them until the last week of the season.
Looks like Madbum may have Kershaw’s Disease (lower back problem). That could turn into one bad contract for the D’backs, although at this point they’re just calling it back spasms.
As far as the Bonds father-son homer totals, I’ve done some quick calculations and my son and I are just 1094 behind Bobby and Barry.
Speaking of bad umpires, have you seen Degrom’s second inning against Miami? 8 throws in a row called as a ball for 2 BB…
And I’m with Oakland, I hope they rip the heads off of all that Houston shit…
We took 2 of 3. I”ll take it. Overall we’re 11-5. I’ll take it. We have lost all 5 games by 1 or 2 runs. So we’re in every game. Last year’s MVP is hitting about as well as our backup catcher.
And we’re still 11-5 despite how “bad” we’ve played. Can’t wait till we wake up! Hopefully we’re full stride by late Sept, heading into Oct.
By the way, the A’s and Trashtros got into a brawl today. Go A’s!!
I HATE Bumgarner. Oops I said the H-word.
Rockies lose! The Rockies loooooooooooooooose! Thank you Seattle for stopping that juggernaut. The Padres who scored 9 runs in the first 3 innings, and hit 4 homers off of the Mad Bum, who is 0-3 with a 9.35 ERA and 6 over all, almost let AZ back in the game winning 9-5. Bet they wish they had not spent all that cash on Bumgarner, or maybe wish he had opted out.
Doc managed like a boss today . lol I didn’t “scratch my head ” once.
As much as we sometimes scratch our heads with Doc’s managerial moves, if I was a Giant fan I would absolutely be hating (can I say that word?) Kapler right about now. Gausman was pitching a gem only to take him out when he gives up just his third hit in 6.1 innings pitched with no BB and only 80 pitches to see AJ hit a three-run HR.
Kapler is not good!
Giants DESTROYED! LOL
Just win, Baby!
I have trashed pollock since he has become a dodger. So, while he is healthy and playing well I want to say he has been a shining light so far. I love the McGhee pickup.
Thank you, ump, for calling that last pitch a strike!!
As bad as Buehler looked, he went 5.2 innings, which was an improvement.
He was unhittable, but also uncontrolled.
It is a forward step.
Cueto and Gausman will be available soon.
Would you trade Josiah Gray for them both?
Ferguson look good. That’s something positive.
This team looks off. Even the throw from Bellinger to home plate appeared lethargic.
Yea. A hit for Muncy. Maybe it’s the start of something.
Nope.
That ended in a hurry.
Wash, rinse, repeat = Dodgers offense. Whatever RVS is doing it might be time to do something different. I have read over the last couple of days where the Dodgers have said Muncy had a broken finger and then Doc says the Dodgers more so than other teams are impacted by the lack of fans in attendance. GMAFB with the excuses.
Walker has started four innings with a BB. That’s not ace like. I’m sensing complacency with some of the Dodger players in their approach to the shortened season.
Word of the day for Bueller: STRUGGLE.
I wish this game were played at night. I could use it to help me sleep
Dodgers being no-hit last night into the 6th until Hunter Pence lost Kike’s pop-up in the dusk. No-hit again after 4 innings. What happened to the great offense that the Dodgers are supposed to have?
We have become the Swing and Miss Los Angeles Pop Ups.
I hear there are seven new Umpires making their debut in the majors. It’s been horrendous , it’s just BAD.
I’ve always been a big supporter of Barnes through thick and thin. I really hoped he would make it back after getting sent down. He’s had his shot. Time to get real and pull the plug on Barnes.
Docs new thing is lefty righty lefty righty. Just quit over managing and put your best hitters first so they will get the most at bats. I have a novel idea, how about putting the player you have the most trust in to get the job done when it is needed most.
Betts
Seager
Turner(he hits righties better than lefties) somebody tell doc
Bellinger
Muncy
Hernández
Pollock
Taylor
Smith
Vs. lefties
Betts
Seager
Turner
Bellinger
Muncy
Joc
Taylor
Rios
Smith
Vs. righties
I realize this is very subjective but I just disagree. I know he is a great communicator, highest win %, blah blah blah
The giants don’t have one player who can crack our starting lineup and yet we play .500 ball with them. They have a losing record otherwise. The giants are a very mediocre team.
The angels are another of our nemesis and I don’t look forward to the Oakland matchup. We need to be hammering these mediocre teams
It is interesting to see the tangents that grow from these posts. The other day it was about the appropriateness of the usage of the word hate. Whether it was properly applied to baseball or baseball teams. Today it is about cemeteries, and where famous people are buried.
Nice article Bear!! I’m more of a Lou Gehrig man myself, but there is no denying the impact that Babe Ruth had on baseball. He was truly larger than life. I still laugh every time I read his response to reporters who asked Ruth if he thought he deserved to be making more money than President Hoover, and he said, “’Why not? I had a better year than he did.”
Please keep these enjoyable stories coming. They’re the perfect anecdote to watching a few innings of a crappy Dodger game. I strongly dislike when the Dodgers lose to the Giants.
Getting away from all this death and cemetery talk, here’s our deathly lineup today:
Joc
Mookie
Belly
JT
Muncy (2b)
Pollock (DH)
Beaty (1b)
Smith
Kike (ss)
Walker Buehler
BP takes a look at this season’s ball.
TL;DR: It’s less “juiced” than last year.
I don’t think LIndor is available nor financially possible, much less feasible.
Two very fun Trout vs. Ruth articles:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/22815467/sizing-mike-trout-sultan-swat-most-unseriously
On a personal note, there is no better excursion taken by the Effectively Wild podcast than debating the greatness of Trout.
Good read today Bear. I’ve read a lot on the Babe and he was a fascinating character Big, fun-loving kid even when he wasn’t. When I was a kid of 12 or so I remember The Babe still being the gold standard. If another kid displayed a moment of excellent we might say “Who do you think you are, Babe Ruth?” He was still the man despite being dead for 15 years. I was a Mantle and Mays fan but the Babe was the GOAT.
Thoughts on last night’s game:
Not many – got out played – look to today.
Actually a couple things come to mind.
* Johnny Cueto went from Cy Young to Sayonara in a heartbeat. He’s sailing along with his no hitter, owning the Dodgers. Pence looses the fly for a triple and Johnny falls apart. He morphed into a new guy.
Apparent he had a blister on his toe and was limping a little. So maybe he was hurt and became frustrated. Maybe.
But to me he just looked flat out pissed. Everything changed; his pace, his body language, his expressions and his effectiveness, even his brief interaction with Pence in the dugout. 2 walks led to JT’s at bat and it was obvious Johnny was done. Oh the Old “let’s leave him in for one more guy” trick bit Kapler in the ass. One of the quickest and oddest meltdowns I’ve see.
* MT, your comment “Right now, framing skills are something teams value highly, but when the Electronic Strike Zone comes in, catcher will again become an offensive position.” is so true. The framing skill will become a lost art like middle infielder’s footwork around second. I agree it’s time for Barnes to go.
* At the same time (I am not panicking) I think it’s time to get Bellinger out of the 3 or 4 hole. It’s a production business and I’m not concerned with hurting his feeling. Start hitting.
* Move Betts to lead off and leave him alone (3 days in a row saying this)
* The first 4 guys for the Giants last night were 9 for 19 with 4 RBI.
Great day for a ballgame.
Since you brought up burial spots Bear, you should pay a visit to Westminster Abbey in London. There must be more famous people buried there per square foot than anywhere else on earth.
Among them are many kings and queens of England plus Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, Laurence Olivier, Rudyard Kipling, plus others too numerous to mention.
Unlike cemeteries which are used mostly for funerals, Westminster Abbey has also been the sight of most coronations and many royal weddings. It’s a truly amazing place.
I’m sure Watford could give us far more information but, after all, this is a baseball blog.
The Marlins are back playing but the Cardinals are still shut down with COVID-19.
Here is Indiana, we have had 4 consecutive days over 1,000 new cases, but deaths continue to plummet. We had 1 today. Doctors tell me that it is a combination of the following:
1. Quick treatment at the first sign;
2. Quick testing;
3. Virtually eliminating ventilators;
4. Remdesivir;
5. Steroids; and
6. Hydroxychloroquine (most people are reluctant to say they took it, for risk of ridicule).
At any rate, this second wave has been dramatically less lethal and hopefully MLB has the best of the best. It would be a shame if the championship were determined by COVID-19.
I admit to being fascinated by grave sites.
I’ve visited:
MARILYN MONROE – L.A.
NATALIE WOOD – L.A.
TRUMAN CAPOTE – L.A.
BABE RUTH – NY
JAMES CAGNEY – NY
SAL MINEO – NY
JOHN KENNEDY – DC – ARLINGTON
ROBERT KENNEDY – DC
JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS – DC
AT PERE LACHAISE IN PARIS:
JIM MORRISON
OSCAR WILDE
CAMILLE PISSARRO
BALZAC
FREDERIC CHOPIN
MOLIERE
GERTRUSE STEIN
ALICE B. TOKLAS
MARCEL PROUST
RICHARD WRIGHT
VICTOR HUGO
EDITH PIAF
DELACROIX
ISADORA DUNCAN
MARCEL MARCEAU
I was just thinking about the other players buried in the same cemetery as Babe, LA is a treasure trove of celebrity graves. I do not know how many of you have driven down the 405 and seen the cemetery on the right behind the big Ford dealer just before you get to Culver City. It is Hillside Memorial Park. It is a Jewish cemetery. Al Jolson is buried there, and you can see his monument and the waterfall from the freeway. Also there is Mr Spock, Leonard Nimoy. There are 3 former MLB players there, including Hank Greenberg. And famous football coach Sid Gillman. Many actors, directors, a couple of studio heads, actresses, comedians, and other celebs are interred there. One of my all time favorites is there too. Moe Howard of the Three Stooges.
I am more and more wanting to see Edwin Rios in the lineup. He hits 1 home run in nine at bats. Babe Ruth hit 1 home run in 11 at bats. This guy needs a nick name or at least a candy bar.
Visited the Babe at his grave site once while in NY. There were flowers, baseballs, even an old glove honoring the GOAT.
Others at Gate of Heaven Cemetery are Billy Martin and Ralph Branca, along with Sal Mineo and James Cagney. Worth a visit.
I think baseball is different right now, due to the late start. Let’s look all across baseball and see what other teams are doing. This is from last night:
Yankees and Rays
Cole – 4.2 IP
Glasnow – 2.2 IP
Indians and White Sox
Plesac – 6.0 IP
Foster – 2.0 IP
Tigers and Pirates
Nova – 5.0 IP (5 ER)
Holland – 5.0 IP (9 ER)
Astros and A’s
Valdez – 7.0 IP
Montas – 7.0 IP
Orioles and Nationals
Eshelman – 4.0 IP
Voth – 5.0 IP
Braves and Philies
Wright – 6.0 IP (4 ER)
Arrieta – 6.0 IP
Angels and Rangers
Sandoval – 6.0 IP
Allard – 5.0 IP
Twins and Royals
Odorizzi – 3.0 IP
Duffy – 4.0 IP
Mets and Marlins
Castano – 4.1 IP
Peterson – 5.0 IP
Reds and Brewers
DeSclafani – 6.0 IP
Anderson – 3.2 IP
Blue Jays and RedSox
Anderson – 3.0
Godley – 4.0
Rockets and M’s
Castellani – 4.0 IP
Margevicius – 3.1 IP
D-Bags and Padres
Kelly – 6.0 IP
Paddock – 5.2 IP
This is a trend right about now and I think that as the season progresses, you will see longer and longer outings. I am not concerned right about now and maybe even in the playoffs, it’s “just go as hard as you can as long as you can.”
Good morning, Bear, and all. Very nice article and well researched and written with a personal touch seen through your young eyes. Thank you. I found it a happy story reminiscing about Babe Ruth’s accomplishments and sad that he died at so early an age. The photo of the little boy wiping a tear off his face at Babe’s coffin, just tore me up.
Another interesting article Michael – really enjoyable.
So far I think my pre season apprehension about the Rotation is still there. I’m not sure we will have enough come playoff time, but there’s time to hit their stride I guess.
Lousy game.
All time favorite, non-Dodger was Stan Musial. Great player, model citizen, baseball ambassador. Brooklyn Dodgers fans were responsible for his nickname “The Man”
Here is Austins Barnes Batting Average, Year-By-Year:
2015 – .207
2016 – .156
2017 – .289
2018 – .205
2019 – .203
2020 – .091
At this point, you have to consider that 2017 was a fluke. He is what he is: An excellent receiver with an average arm, excellent ball-blocking skills, and outstanding framing ability, who cannot jump out of a boat and hit water. Right now, framing skills are something teams value highly, but when the Electronic Strike Zone comes in, catcher will again become an offensive position.
Right about now, Austin Barnes is pretty offensive to me. I am not sure how Kaybear is doing, but he can’t do any worse. It’s time for a change.
I think this is his final speech, Bear. GREAT PIECE!
As fascinating as his personality was, I have no connection to Babe Ruth. My grandfather pitched to him and Gehrig one Spring. I loved hearing the story. But as you know, my first hero was Mantle. I saw him play in Kansas City. He hit two towering home runs. I was hooked. I wanted to be like him.
Babe Ruth. And endless tolerance for women, whiskey, cigars and hot dogs. Dead at 53. Mantle an alcoholic by 19, gone at 63 from liver disease. His kid died at 47 of liver cancer. Yeah, some role models.
Considering his hitting and pitching accomplishments, MLB GOAT.