BABE RUTH DAY

I bet most of you don't know April 27th is Babe Ruth Day unless you're a true baseball fan.  George Herman Ruth, known as Babe Ruth was the first sports super star.  He was a bit unusual being a left-handed pitcher.  In his first World Series, he pitched 29 2/3rds scoreless innings, and set a mark that would stand for 43 years.   In three seasons, Ruth compiled a record of 94 wins and 46 losses with the Red Sox. 

He lead the Boston Red Sox's to two World Series victories before he was traded to the New York Yankees following the 1918 season.   It turned out to be the owner's, Harry Frazee, worst business decision because prior to the trade, the Red Sox had won five of the modern, post-1903, World Series.  The Red Sox never won another World Series until 2004.

The Yankees, who had never won a pennant before, became perennial American League and World Series champions.  With Ruth, the Yankees won their first pennant in 1921, another in 1922, and their first World Series in 1923.  The Yankees became the first team in baseball history to draw a million paying fans to its stadium, the Polo Grounds, which they shared with the New York Giants.  When Yankee Stadium was opened in 1923, it was known as 'The House that Ruth Built.'

Ruth ended his career in 1935 with the Boston Braves.  At the time of his retirement, his regular season record of 714 home runs was hundreds ahead of his closest competitor and would not be exceeded until Hank Aaron hit his 715th in 1974.  His lifetime slugging average of .690 has never been approached.  Ruth was one of the first to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame when it opened in 1936.

In 1946, Ruth was diagnosed with a malignant tumor on his neck.  His health declined quickly.  On April 27, 1947, the Yankees hosted Babe Ruth Day at Yankee Stadium, and his fans came to honor him.  His jersey number 3 was retired at his last appearance at Yankee Stadium on June 13, 1948.  He died August 16, 1948.  More than 100,000 people paid their respects at Yankee Stadium and at his funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.

Information came from The Learning Network and The United States History Sites.

Happy Babe Ruth Day!

Have a happy weekend, and I'll you next weekend. 

Sandra K. Marshall

http://www.eirelander-publishing.com