On February 12, 1949 the World Ice Hockey Championships opened in Stockholm, Sweden. As with many international competions sometimes scores can get a little out of hand. The opening day of the tournament clearly demonstrated this point. The host team took out the Finnish team by a score of 12-1, thanks in large part to a seven goal third period. The American team also started well, beating the Swiss team by a score of 12-5, thanks to a 6 goal opening period.
I am not sure of the timing of the games as far which games were played first however if the Canada-Denmark game was the last the game to be played that day, the American and Swedish teams would not have felt so good after the first period. The Canadians scored a whooping 13 goals in the opening period. The Danes must have hoped that the Canadians would take the rest of the game off, no such luck. A 16 goal second period ensued. A 29-0 score is embrassing in any sport especially hockey, you have been beaten. Rumor has it the poor Danes did not show up for the third period. The Canadians scored a wild 18 goals in the final period for a record 47-0 win. You try and find a higher scoring Mens Hockey game! It can be done, if you know where to look. The interesting thing is for the tournament the Canadians took the silver metal. The Czechoslovakians took the gold, when the Canadians scored a lackluster 2-1-2 record in the final round.
Tomorrow we will look at another baseball league finding the light of day.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Baseball Season is Coming!!
In an effort to get my readship to respond I am asking you, my readers to post your predictions for the 2011 baseball season. If enough people respond, I will post my own predications. Monday, pitchers and catchers start to report. Good Luck, everyone!! If things go well for this blog in the next year, I will then offer prizes. This year, I still have a family to feed, God willing I will still have them next year, so I have to take care of few things before I can offer prizes in this forum. Of course if things go really well in the coming seven months things could change.
Two Great Baseball Leagues- Minor League Style
On February 11, 1885 in Baseball history, the Southern League was founded. The league awarded six cities franchises. Those cities were: Atlanta, Georgia; Augusta, Georgia; Birmingham, Alabama; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Columbus, Georgia and Macon, Georgia. The league was a direct outgrowth of the Georgia State League from the season before. The league had a spotty history in the 19th century, however when the calendar hit 1901, the league now known as the Southern Association hit its stride. The league would made relatively few changes until it folded in January of 1962. The South Atlantic League quickly moved in to fill the vacancy. Today, the Southern League is one the strongest in the game.
The City of Atlanta enjoyed a very long stretch with the Crackers. The also enjoyed watching the Black Crackers as well. After the Southern Association folded the city managed to move up a notch into AAA baseball. That proved to be a brief stop on their way to the National League. Birmingham is today a long time member of the Southern League. The cities fans enjoyed many years at Rickwood Field. Today the team plays a game annually at the old park, a historical jewel. Chattanooga has also served as a long time rival to the Barons. The league has seen several other long time members move up to AAA ball. Memphis and Nashville served as long time members before moving up to the Pacific Coast League.
One of the more interesting things about the founding of the Southern League is that the very next day another long time league found the light of day. Thus came forth the Western League. Like its Southern cousin, the league issued six franchises, the went to Cleveland, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Kansas City, Missouri; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Omaha, Nebraska and Toledo, Ohio. By 1890, five of the cities had a Major League club. The strange thing was the leagues first season was a complete disaster. They tried again several times in the next few years with some success. The 1893 season was yet another disaster.
In 1894 a new group took the league name and ran with it. The next 7 seasons were the first golden age of the league. Among the league members were Detroit, Michigan, Indianapolis, Indiana; Kansas City, Missouri; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Minneapolis, Minnesota and Saint Paul, Minnesota. After the 1899 season the league into Chicago and Cleveland, then changed its name to the American League. Another year later the league moved four of its eight clubs and declared itself a Major League.
A new version of the Western League was immediately formed. The league prospered for many years, it did experience a shutdown from 1939 until 1946. It came back stron gfor several wonderful years before a quick slide into the history books. the league failed for good after the 1958 season. The leagues legacy lives on as one of its long time members is now a member of the National league, like its Southern brethen several of its long time league mmebers are now in the Pacific Coast League, those cities being Albuquerque, New Mexico; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Des Moines, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska.
Many other league have similar histories, we will get to them all in due time as I hoping to keep writing in this spot for many years to come, so comeback tomorrow when as promised I write about an Olympic size blowout in hockey.
The City of Atlanta enjoyed a very long stretch with the Crackers. The also enjoyed watching the Black Crackers as well. After the Southern Association folded the city managed to move up a notch into AAA baseball. That proved to be a brief stop on their way to the National League. Birmingham is today a long time member of the Southern League. The cities fans enjoyed many years at Rickwood Field. Today the team plays a game annually at the old park, a historical jewel. Chattanooga has also served as a long time rival to the Barons. The league has seen several other long time members move up to AAA ball. Memphis and Nashville served as long time members before moving up to the Pacific Coast League.
One of the more interesting things about the founding of the Southern League is that the very next day another long time league found the light of day. Thus came forth the Western League. Like its Southern cousin, the league issued six franchises, the went to Cleveland, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Kansas City, Missouri; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Omaha, Nebraska and Toledo, Ohio. By 1890, five of the cities had a Major League club. The strange thing was the leagues first season was a complete disaster. They tried again several times in the next few years with some success. The 1893 season was yet another disaster.
In 1894 a new group took the league name and ran with it. The next 7 seasons were the first golden age of the league. Among the league members were Detroit, Michigan, Indianapolis, Indiana; Kansas City, Missouri; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Minneapolis, Minnesota and Saint Paul, Minnesota. After the 1899 season the league into Chicago and Cleveland, then changed its name to the American League. Another year later the league moved four of its eight clubs and declared itself a Major League.
A new version of the Western League was immediately formed. The league prospered for many years, it did experience a shutdown from 1939 until 1946. It came back stron gfor several wonderful years before a quick slide into the history books. the league failed for good after the 1958 season. The leagues legacy lives on as one of its long time members is now a member of the National league, like its Southern brethen several of its long time league mmebers are now in the Pacific Coast League, those cities being Albuquerque, New Mexico; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Des Moines, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska.
Many other league have similar histories, we will get to them all in due time as I hoping to keep writing in this spot for many years to come, so comeback tomorrow when as promised I write about an Olympic size blowout in hockey.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Lesser Known Records
Many times when we attend a sporting event, especially one involving teams new records are set. Alot of times you tell that a new record has been set or tied simply by looking at the scoreboard. Some records are a little harder to see. These records are set very quietly. Today we are looking at three basketball games where records or near records were quietly set.
On February 10, 1982 at Reunion Arena in Dallas, the Washington Bullets defeated the Mavericks by a score of 119-102. In this case the scoreboard seemed to show that the game was nothing more then an average basketball game. A very close look at the scoresheets showed that neither team had a single player credited with a blocked shot. That was no ordinary part of a basketball game.
Moving ahead to February 10, 2006 we find a special game that was played at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In this very special game the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets scored a 111- 100 win over the New York Knicks. Again this looked like an average game, a detailed look at the scoresheets showed the Hornets with only 2 steals in the game. Another look showed the Knicks with no steals.
Just one year later on February 10, 2007 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas Rafer Alston of the Rockets had 8 steals in one half. The eight steals helped the Rockets score a 104-83 win over the Charlotte Bobcats.
I find all of this very interesting in that geographically all three game were played fairly close together. Two of the games were played in Texas and one in Oklahoma. One of the reasons I enjoy putting single game lists together is to see if doing these great feats really helps win games. It really helps one to get the full picture of a record when you take into consideration if it was a home game or not. It is hard for a team member to enjoy a great record if their team does not win the game. A player could have a 102 yard fumble return, score 50 points in a basketball game, have 5 assists in one period of hockey or even hit 5 home runs in a baseball game and it means nothing when the team loses. Harvey Haddix of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitched 12 perfect innings in a 1959 game at Milwaukee and still took the loss home with him. Reading the recordbook can be a lot of fun, trust me researching it is just as much fun.
Tomorrow we will look at two of the greatest minor league baseball leagues. On Saturday we will go back to hockey for a look at an Olympic sized record.
On February 10, 1982 at Reunion Arena in Dallas, the Washington Bullets defeated the Mavericks by a score of 119-102. In this case the scoreboard seemed to show that the game was nothing more then an average basketball game. A very close look at the scoresheets showed that neither team had a single player credited with a blocked shot. That was no ordinary part of a basketball game.
Moving ahead to February 10, 2006 we find a special game that was played at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In this very special game the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets scored a 111- 100 win over the New York Knicks. Again this looked like an average game, a detailed look at the scoresheets showed the Hornets with only 2 steals in the game. Another look showed the Knicks with no steals.
Just one year later on February 10, 2007 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas Rafer Alston of the Rockets had 8 steals in one half. The eight steals helped the Rockets score a 104-83 win over the Charlotte Bobcats.
I find all of this very interesting in that geographically all three game were played fairly close together. Two of the games were played in Texas and one in Oklahoma. One of the reasons I enjoy putting single game lists together is to see if doing these great feats really helps win games. It really helps one to get the full picture of a record when you take into consideration if it was a home game or not. It is hard for a team member to enjoy a great record if their team does not win the game. A player could have a 102 yard fumble return, score 50 points in a basketball game, have 5 assists in one period of hockey or even hit 5 home runs in a baseball game and it means nothing when the team loses. Harvey Haddix of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitched 12 perfect innings in a 1959 game at Milwaukee and still took the loss home with him. Reading the recordbook can be a lot of fun, trust me researching it is just as much fun.
Tomorrow we will look at two of the greatest minor league baseball leagues. On Saturday we will go back to hockey for a look at an Olympic sized record.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
A Very Long Record
Today we honor the Rochester Red Wings Baseball team. The Red Wings hold a very important record in all of minor league sports. The Red Wings have not moved since February 8, 1899. The Red Wings hold the record for the longest time a minor league franchise in any sport has been in the same place. They may changed their nicknames a few times in the ensuing years, the have changed stadiums a couple times, but they have not changed cities in an amazing 112 years and counting. When you consider that the city did not miss the 4 seasons before, they just did not finish the season before in the league.
Lets give a liitle background here. The city reentered the league in 1895 after missing 2 seasons when they obtained the franchise that had completed the season before in Yonkers, New York. The city was in the league until midway through the 1897 season, when the franchise was transferred to Montreal. To make up for that loss, the city obtained the obtained the Scranton, Pennsylvania franchise. Unfortunately, on July 13, 1898 a fire burned their ballpark to the ground. The franchise was immediately transferred to Ottawa, Ontario. The following February will a new ballpark in place, the franchise was returned to Rochester.
The club is two seasons ahead of its next competor the Indianapolis Indians. The Indians have had to change leagues several times in their attempt to continue to nip at the Red Wings heels for the longevity record. The Indians even had a 5 year stint in the Pacific Coast League, one of the other league members at the time was the Hawaii Islanders. That makes for one very long road trip.
Tommorrow we will look at some basketball games where records were set, however this time it this not the high scoring games we will be looking at. Alot of times I am picking out the next days blog a day in advance. If you want to see a particular event profiled that has an upcoming anniversary, please let me know I would be happy to accept your input. If you want to see the list I am drawing from try the companion website at https://sites.google.com/site/professionalsportshistory/Home/this-date-home See you then!!
Lets give a liitle background here. The city reentered the league in 1895 after missing 2 seasons when they obtained the franchise that had completed the season before in Yonkers, New York. The city was in the league until midway through the 1897 season, when the franchise was transferred to Montreal. To make up for that loss, the city obtained the obtained the Scranton, Pennsylvania franchise. Unfortunately, on July 13, 1898 a fire burned their ballpark to the ground. The franchise was immediately transferred to Ottawa, Ontario. The following February will a new ballpark in place, the franchise was returned to Rochester.
The club is two seasons ahead of its next competor the Indianapolis Indians. The Indians have had to change leagues several times in their attempt to continue to nip at the Red Wings heels for the longevity record. The Indians even had a 5 year stint in the Pacific Coast League, one of the other league members at the time was the Hawaii Islanders. That makes for one very long road trip.
Tommorrow we will look at some basketball games where records were set, however this time it this not the high scoring games we will be looking at. Alot of times I am picking out the next days blog a day in advance. If you want to see a particular event profiled that has an upcoming anniversary, please let me know I would be happy to accept your input. If you want to see the list I am drawing from try the companion website at https://sites.google.com/site/professionalsportshistory/Home/this-date-home See you then!!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Alot More Hockey
At the end of the 1941-42 National Hockey League season, the Brooklyn American Hockey team folded. The NHL was left with only 6 clubs. These clubs were the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadians, New York Rangers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Although the nickname was not entirely accurate these clubs became known as "The Original Six". In truth only two of those clubs are really originals dating back to the time when the league was played entirely in Canada. For the 1924-25 season, the league accepted its first American Club, the Bruins. Two seasons later, the Blackhawks, Detroit Cougars and the Rangers joined in. For 24 seasons, major league hockey was these six clubs and no one else.
On February 8, 1966 it all changed when the league approved the teams that would fill in the six expansion slots the league had offered for the 1967-68 season. Most Hockey fans will tell you who the six new kids on the block were at that point: California (Oakland) Seals; Los Angeles Kings; Minnesota (Minneapolis-Saint Paul) North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers; Pittsburgh Penguins and the Saint Louis Blues. Most fans however might not be able to tell you that the Blues were given a conditional franchise as the league felt the city was ready, in a great location and had the perfect arena just no owner. The city was given until April 5th to find a suitable ownership group, otherwise the Baltimore, Maryland group would then get a team.
We know now who got teams at this point, but the question before us now is who did not. As one could probably guess one of the three cities vying for a team that did not get one was; that would be Baltimore, Maryland. The other two cities that were shutout of the league were Buffalo, New York and Vancouver, British Columbia. Both of those cities were awarded teams in the next round of expansion, which put them in the league in time for the 1970-71 season. I do find it strange that the one city of the three that seemed closest to getting in the league at the time remains out of the league to this day. I also find it strange that one of the two cities that did make into the league for the next round is also the only Continental Baseball League franchise of the eight proposed in July of 1959 that never received a team, that city being Buffalo. Studying this stuff long enough and you will see little oddities like this one.
As for tomorrow, we will look at a very long minor league baseball record.
On February 8, 1966 it all changed when the league approved the teams that would fill in the six expansion slots the league had offered for the 1967-68 season. Most Hockey fans will tell you who the six new kids on the block were at that point: California (Oakland) Seals; Los Angeles Kings; Minnesota (Minneapolis-Saint Paul) North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers; Pittsburgh Penguins and the Saint Louis Blues. Most fans however might not be able to tell you that the Blues were given a conditional franchise as the league felt the city was ready, in a great location and had the perfect arena just no owner. The city was given until April 5th to find a suitable ownership group, otherwise the Baltimore, Maryland group would then get a team.
We know now who got teams at this point, but the question before us now is who did not. As one could probably guess one of the three cities vying for a team that did not get one was; that would be Baltimore, Maryland. The other two cities that were shutout of the league were Buffalo, New York and Vancouver, British Columbia. Both of those cities were awarded teams in the next round of expansion, which put them in the league in time for the 1970-71 season. I do find it strange that the one city of the three that seemed closest to getting in the league at the time remains out of the league to this day. I also find it strange that one of the two cities that did make into the league for the next round is also the only Continental Baseball League franchise of the eight proposed in July of 1959 that never received a team, that city being Buffalo. Studying this stuff long enough and you will see little oddities like this one.
As for tomorrow, we will look at a very long minor league baseball record.
Monday, February 7, 2011
As Spring Was Appoaching
February 7, 1954 was just another day in the Hot Stove League for the 1953-54 offseason. Many leagues and teams were busy laying plans for the upcoming season and making plans for the spring training season.
The Negro American League was one such league making preparations for the upcoming season. The league accepted the Indianapolis, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky into the league, the move raised league membership to six clubs. A once thriving enterprise of Black Baseball was on its way out. The league would last the 1954 season and just seven more seasons after that. The league had already entered a period where press coverage would be harder and harder to get for the league. A once proud league was already on the way out.
On the very same day, in the Sooner State League the Sherman, Texas franchise was transferred to Seminole, Oklahoma. The interesting thing about this move was that it happened exactly four years to the day before the league itself folded after 11 seasons of play. One more event occurred in baseball on this fateful day. In the Tri-State League the Gastonia, North Carolina franchise was transferred to Greenville, South Carolina. The league would play just one more season after the 1954 season. The City of Gastonia did not have much of history before 1939, had spent just two 2 seasons in the league before the move. The city would have a firm history in the Western Carolinas/South Atlantic League with a 30 season run minus one year from 1963-92. The City of Greenville has had professional baseball continuously since 1984. After the Tri-State League folded, it took the city until 1961 to get back into professional when they started on a 12 season run. All of this just added to a history that dates back to 1907.
I could have easily made this blog lots of baseball history, but it would not do much for fans of other sports. Tomorrow we will look at a big day in the NHL.
The Negro American League was one such league making preparations for the upcoming season. The league accepted the Indianapolis, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky into the league, the move raised league membership to six clubs. A once thriving enterprise of Black Baseball was on its way out. The league would last the 1954 season and just seven more seasons after that. The league had already entered a period where press coverage would be harder and harder to get for the league. A once proud league was already on the way out.
On the very same day, in the Sooner State League the Sherman, Texas franchise was transferred to Seminole, Oklahoma. The interesting thing about this move was that it happened exactly four years to the day before the league itself folded after 11 seasons of play. One more event occurred in baseball on this fateful day. In the Tri-State League the Gastonia, North Carolina franchise was transferred to Greenville, South Carolina. The league would play just one more season after the 1954 season. The City of Gastonia did not have much of history before 1939, had spent just two 2 seasons in the league before the move. The city would have a firm history in the Western Carolinas/South Atlantic League with a 30 season run minus one year from 1963-92. The City of Greenville has had professional baseball continuously since 1984. After the Tri-State League folded, it took the city until 1961 to get back into professional when they started on a 12 season run. All of this just added to a history that dates back to 1907.
I could have easily made this blog lots of baseball history, but it would not do much for fans of other sports. Tomorrow we will look at a big day in the NHL.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Bonus Blog- A Little Known Great
Not all famous athletes are 6"5" or weigh 300+ pounds. A few of them have achieved greatness despite lack of great statue or tipping the scales at a weight that many of us would put ourselves on a starvation diet before even approaching. Not all small athletes are gymnasts or race horse jockeys. I could easily put together a respectable list of many athletics who come in at or near my own height of 5' 6 1/2.
One of these athletes played football back in the 1940s and 1950s. His name was Claude "Buddy" Young. He was known as the "Bronze Bullet". Young was born on January 5, 1926 in Chicago. He had an impressive record in high school in track and in football despite the fact that he was only 5' 4". He had several scholarship offers from top division I schools. He choose to attend the University of Illinois. It was there that he broke many school records set by the great Harold "Red" Grange. His first play in his freshman year he ran for a 64 yard touchdown. After a short stint in the Navy at the end of World War II, he returned to Illinois to complete his education.
In 1947 he signed with the New York Yankees of the All-American Football Conference. The Yanks moved to the NFL before folding. Young moved on to the Dallas Texans and then to the Baltimore Colts. He had a distingushed nine year career before retiring after the 1955 season. While a Baltimore he relucately raced a real colt in a 100 yard race, he won.
In 1966 he became the first Black executive to be hired by the NFL. His position was administrative assistant to the commissioner. In 1983, he was Director of Player Relations, he was killed in a traffic accident outside of Dallas, Texas. He was preceded in death by his oldest son. By 1999 all 4 of his children had passed way.
His widow Geraldine was the subject of an October 2006 article in the Baltimore Sun Newspaper. The article describes her as a wonderful woman, who despite all the tragedy in her life continues to help others in the local Baltimore community through the Gerladine Young Family Life Center. The center is located next to the Druid Hill YMCA. She has been honored in many ways. even at her 80th birthday party, she still managed to raise $8700 to cover a budget shortfall at the center and the YMCA.
Buddy may have been a top notched community fundraiser and advocate in his time but, Geraldine is just as good, probably better then he ever was. The Youngs are the type of people that we need more of not only in the Sports world but, all thoughout the community. I myself was unaware of who these truly great people were until I received a suggestion from the Bronx Rebels for this awesome suggestion. Thanks Rebels!!
One of these athletes played football back in the 1940s and 1950s. His name was Claude "Buddy" Young. He was known as the "Bronze Bullet". Young was born on January 5, 1926 in Chicago. He had an impressive record in high school in track and in football despite the fact that he was only 5' 4". He had several scholarship offers from top division I schools. He choose to attend the University of Illinois. It was there that he broke many school records set by the great Harold "Red" Grange. His first play in his freshman year he ran for a 64 yard touchdown. After a short stint in the Navy at the end of World War II, he returned to Illinois to complete his education.
In 1947 he signed with the New York Yankees of the All-American Football Conference. The Yanks moved to the NFL before folding. Young moved on to the Dallas Texans and then to the Baltimore Colts. He had a distingushed nine year career before retiring after the 1955 season. While a Baltimore he relucately raced a real colt in a 100 yard race, he won.
In 1966 he became the first Black executive to be hired by the NFL. His position was administrative assistant to the commissioner. In 1983, he was Director of Player Relations, he was killed in a traffic accident outside of Dallas, Texas. He was preceded in death by his oldest son. By 1999 all 4 of his children had passed way.
His widow Geraldine was the subject of an October 2006 article in the Baltimore Sun Newspaper. The article describes her as a wonderful woman, who despite all the tragedy in her life continues to help others in the local Baltimore community through the Gerladine Young Family Life Center. The center is located next to the Druid Hill YMCA. She has been honored in many ways. even at her 80th birthday party, she still managed to raise $8700 to cover a budget shortfall at the center and the YMCA.
Buddy may have been a top notched community fundraiser and advocate in his time but, Geraldine is just as good, probably better then he ever was. The Youngs are the type of people that we need more of not only in the Sports world but, all thoughout the community. I myself was unaware of who these truly great people were until I received a suggestion from the Bronx Rebels for this awesome suggestion. Thanks Rebels!!
The Legend Looms Large
On February 6, 1895 an event occured that no one in the Sports world seemed to notice. Even those in Baltimore, Maryland paid litttle heed to this event in the dead of winter. It was on that day that Catherine Schamberger Ruth presented her Solonkeeper husband George, a son. The newborn was named George Herman Ruth. Little George quickly grew into a trouble maker, even at the young age of six. His parents sent him to a school for boys in hopes that he would straighten up. The one thing that he did find was that he enjoyed playing Baseball. At the age of 18 he was signed to a contact with the local Baltimore Orioles. In Spring training camp he was tagged with his famous nickname "Babe".
After half a season with the Orioles pitcher Babe Ruths' contract was purchased by the Boston Red Sox. On July 11, 1914 Ruth made his Major League debut against the Cleveland Naps. A month later he was back in the minors, this time with the Providence Grays. On September 5, in a game in Toronto Ruth pitched a 9-0 shutout. During this game he hit his one and only minor league home run, a three run shot.
In 1915 Ruth made the big club for good. A Hall of Fame career was underway. In May of 1918 Red Sox management finally gave in to the idea of letting Ruth play in the field when he was not pitching. On December 26, 1919 the Sultan of Swat was sold to the New York Yankees. The Yankees until then were an average team. With the addition of the Babe the appearances in the World Series started coming. By 1925 when Lou Gehrig arrived Ruth teamed with the new first baseman to provide the Yanks lineup with a solid 1, 2 punch. Ruth played with the Yankees through the 1934 season. Among those many wonderful seasons was the great Yankee season of 1927. The Babe played only part of the 1935 season with the Boston Braves before retiring on May 30.
I could very easily write so much more on Babe Ruth however it would take a book or two to describe the pure greatness of this legendary man. Happy Birthday Babe.
Tomorrow we will look at baseball in 1954.
After half a season with the Orioles pitcher Babe Ruths' contract was purchased by the Boston Red Sox. On July 11, 1914 Ruth made his Major League debut against the Cleveland Naps. A month later he was back in the minors, this time with the Providence Grays. On September 5, in a game in Toronto Ruth pitched a 9-0 shutout. During this game he hit his one and only minor league home run, a three run shot.
In 1915 Ruth made the big club for good. A Hall of Fame career was underway. In May of 1918 Red Sox management finally gave in to the idea of letting Ruth play in the field when he was not pitching. On December 26, 1919 the Sultan of Swat was sold to the New York Yankees. The Yankees until then were an average team. With the addition of the Babe the appearances in the World Series started coming. By 1925 when Lou Gehrig arrived Ruth teamed with the new first baseman to provide the Yanks lineup with a solid 1, 2 punch. Ruth played with the Yankees through the 1934 season. Among those many wonderful seasons was the great Yankee season of 1927. The Babe played only part of the 1935 season with the Boston Braves before retiring on May 30.
I could very easily write so much more on Babe Ruth however it would take a book or two to describe the pure greatness of this legendary man. Happy Birthday Babe.
Tomorrow we will look at baseball in 1954.
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