Babe Ruth's Popularity
Autographing everything in sight
Babe Ruth's Popularity
When you think of Babe Ruth in 1927, you usually think of that magical number: 60.
What you probably didn’t know, however, is that Ruth was mobbed by fans for the entire season.
It’s remarkable, actually. No matter where the Yankees went that season, they always managed to draw a large crowd. And the kids in particular were absolutely wild for Babe Ruth.
On July 19, 1927, as many as 3,500 people turned up to see the Yankees beat the awful Browns yet again. The Browns wound up only beating the Yankees a single time all season.
It caused some sportswriters to turn to poetry:
But, of course, the real fascinating part comes in the little notes on the game that most people skip over:
That’s right. Instead of going back to the bench when the Yankees were up to hit, Ruth hung out in left field signing autographs until his turn at bat came up.
They don’t let you do that anymore, that’s for sure.
Daniel, you may have seen that vintage colorized video (with sound) of the Yankees’ April 14, 1931 season opener against the Red Sox (see YouTube link below). But I’m curious about a little exchange that’s in there, between Babe Ruth and someone just off camera.
At the 3:50 mark, Babe appears to sign a couple of items, perhaps baseballs.
But at 4:10, while Claire Ruth is talking, Babe shakes his head as he says to someone, “No. No scorecards. No Sir.” He appears fairly adamant about it.
Did Ruth refuse to sign scorecards? And, if so, do you know his reason?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuwnAgX-zaE&t=279s