Tales of the Babe
“I just laughed at myself…”
Bygone baseball by C. Philip Francis
He was a thief, a truant, and spent much of his teenage years in a juvenile jail. He was coarse, profane, and unrefined as he freewheeled through life until age and cancer finally slowed him down. But he could hit a baseball better than most others, and because of that ability this man literally saved and revolutionized major league baseball. He was the Bambino or the Sultan of Swat and had a love affair with his adoring fans, especially young boys and girls. He was George Herman Ruth, or just The Babe. George was born in Baltimore, Maryland on February 6, 1895 and died on August 16, 1948. Each August Chatter from the Dugout remembers the greatest baseball player of all time with some of our favorite Babe Ruth stories. Don’t ask if they are true or partly true or even pure myth as no one really knows – except the Babe who isn’t talking.
LITTLE JOHNNY
As with many stories regarding The Babe the telling and retelling changes from time to time. There are several versions concerning the recovery of eleven-year-old Johnny Sylvester, but they generally go something like this…It was in October 1926 when Babe Ruth was called to the telephone in the Yankee Stadium clubhouse. “Mr. Ruth, this is Mr. Sylvester in Essex Falls, New Jersey, and would like to ask a favor of you. I have an eleven-year-old boy who is very sick. He may die soon, and seems to have lost his will to live. Maybe you could send my son an autographed ball or a letter.”
It has been said that little Johnny Sylvester was fighting a bone disease after a horseback accident while others have reported that it was blood poisoning. In any case it was World Series time, and the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals were ready to begin what is often called The Fall Classic. Because of his problem childhood and a special interest in children, or “my kids”, Ruth simply asked, “How do I get to Essex Falls?”
The boy’s eyes literally popped out when he saw the big Yankee ballplayer enter the hospital room, sit on the bed, and begin talking baseball. Babe brought an autographed ball, glove, and bat that he expected to be used soon by the youngster. There was one more thing, “Mr. Ruth, will you hit a home run for me in the World Series?”
The boy did get better, and his father and doctors believed the sudden change was due to one thing - Babe Ruth Therapy. The Bambino hit four home runs in the Series, three of them in one game, with Johnny knowing that each one was hit just for him.
Sylvester went on to attend Princeton University, and then became a naval officer in World War II. Here is where the story unravels. One account tells us that some years later Johnny walked up to Ruth and introduced himself as the sick boy in the hospital, but the Yankee great could not even recall the incident. But wait, there is also a more charming ending to this drama that could be accurate. In April 1947 it was now the Babe who was ill, and so Johnny Sylvester went to see Ruth in an effort to inspire him and repay an old debt. The now healthy Johnny Sylvester and the old and ailing ballplayer sat beside a sick bed once more talking baseball, but this time there would be no immediate recovery.
In May 1929 a tremendous thunderstorm hit Yankee Stadium during a game. When many of those in the right field bleachers rushed to the exits a 17-year-old girl from the Bronx was fatally hurt during the wild stampede. She was taken to the Yankee clubhouse where she was held by Babe Ruth. A doctor was in attendance, but the girl died in Babe’s arms. One person was killed, and others were injured as the result of the panic.
One of the most heated arguments in baseball history is that of Ruth’s “called shot” in the third game of the 1932 World Series. For a number of reasons the post-season series between the Yankees and Chicago Cubs became a bitter one. The Yanks had won the first two games at home, and it was time to move to Wrigley Field where the ugly mood continued. The Babe hit a home run in the first inning, but it was his second blast in the fifth that became one of the most celebrated home runs.
As the Yankee slugger walked up to the plate with one out and the bases empty the Cubs were on their dugout steps yelling insults and vocal abuse. Ruth dug in and stared at pitcher Charlie Root. STRIKE ONE bellowed Umpire Van Graflan! The Babe stepped back and raised a finger as to indicate that there was only one strike. By now the partisan Chicago fans were getting into the game as they hooted at the batter. STRIKE TWO! The batter raised two fingers seeming to say that I still have one pitch left.
As Root was ready to start his windup Babe stepped back and seemed to wave or point at the center field flagpole. Was it his contempt of the Cubs, the fans, and Charlie Root, or an unthinking movement of his hand, or a statement saying, “I am going to hit a home run on the next pitch?” In any case the next ball was sent far out into center field while Ruth savored every moment as he trotted around the bases with a big grin on his face. He later told a Chicago writer, “I just laughed to myself going around the bases thinking ‘You lucky bum.’”
Ruth’s unique influence on the population was astonishing. As he visited small towns his appearances were treated as holidays. People would wait throughout the night to get a glimpse of Ruth as his train made a quick stop. He had many faults, but it was his bond with the common person that made him what he is today – an American original.