A very special birthday
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Feb 06, 2010 
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Extra-special birthday wishes go out to the spirit of Babe Ruth today, who is no doubt looking down somewhere and wondering what all the fuss over Johnny Damon wanting millions of dollars is all about. The Babe, who passed away in 1948, would be turning 115 today.
Earlier this week we debated the greatest Yankee of all time (which, probably, isn’t Derek Jeter) and obviously Ruth is the clubhouse leader. If you’ve got a minute, take a look at his baseball-reference page; it’s ridiculous! Although it’s very difficult to compare players from different generations, I think we can all agree that Ruth’s career OPS+ of 207 – which is still the all-time record – is pretty darn impressive.
So happy birthday, Babe. There’s never been another one quite like you.
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Also, wanted to take a minute to thank all the blog readers who came up and said hello at today’s World Series trophy showing in Westchester. It’s always an honor to be recognized and it means a lot to hear from so many folks who enjoy what we do here. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and say hi.
(By the way, for those who asked: There are actually two Commissioner’s Trophies that the Yankees use to commemorate the World Series win. Unlike, say, the Stanley Cup, a new trophy (or two) is made each year for that year’s champion. So, while one trophy has been in Asia this past week, the other is here in America. I asked Tony Amelio, the Yankees security manager who escorted the trophy today, which one this one was and he said he wasn’t sure but believed that it was the one on the field after the Game 6 clincher.)
My guess is that Babe Ruth is more likely to be wondering about what David Wells did with his cap.
Ruth was the best. No doubt.
He used to outhomer TEAMS. It was just ridiculous. Tha type of domination will never be seen again.
My guess is that Ruth is having too much fun with Mickey and Billy Martin to care rght now.
My favorite stats from Ruth’s BR page is the 2 games he pitched in the 30s for the Yanks-2 starts, 2 wins, 2 complete games. I always wondered why he pitched those games.
Coincidentally, Ruth started five games for the Yankees and compiled a perfect 5-0 record. The man was insanel talented. Imagine if he kept himself in shape.
Ronald Reagan would have been 99 today.
He broadcasted games for the Cubs — sort of.
Tom, I’m on my bberry right now and can’t look, but there was a teriffic article in the NYT within the past 3 years about those two games that Ruth pitched for the Yanks.
I think they both came late in seasons in which the Yanks were already eliminated from AL contention. So they were kind of novelty/exhibitions.
How does one ‘re-create’ baseball games from the studio?
Wait there are 2 Commissioner’s Trophies? How does that make sense?
Thanks, Nick. I’ll check out the archives…
Babe Ruth was the greatest professional athlete who ever lived. His hitting, pitching, and personality saved the game. The fact that we still talk about him, 62 years after his death, is all the proof needed.
I think Reagan was getting teletype updates on the games. I don’t know how detailed they were.
I think what he was doing was tougher than what Michael Kay does.
Tom – what they did was to read the pitch-by-pitch updates that were provided by ticker-tape (Western Union?), and add sound effects – the crack of the bat, recorded sounds of ballpark cheers, boos, etc. If the ticker-tape went dead, or was delayed, they would adlib things, like the batter stepping out, conferences on the mound, arguments on the field. They did their best to make it seem to the listener that they were really broadcasting from the ballpark.
They were probably a lot better than some of the clowns doing games today.
Tom in NJ
February 6th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
1. There is nothing like the joy of watching your dog bound out the door and disappear into the snow….
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Unless he has your new $300 Italian loafers in his mouth or has the kid’s blankie and is dragging your kid out the door with him.
Nick and Joe, Intresting stuff guys.
I didn’t realize it was that complex, or that it was even happening ‘live’, so to speak. That does seem like it’s an artform of sorts.
I just thought it was done after the fact….
C: There are a lot more than two! It’s not like the Stanley Cup which is passed from one team to another. Each year there are new Commissioner’s Trophies made.
Joe from Long Island
February 6th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Babe Ruth was the greatest professional athlete who ever lived. His hitting, pitching, and personality saved the game. The fact that we still talk about him, 62 years after his death, is all the proof needed.
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I’ll agree with the greatest baseball player in history, but greatest athlete? I’ll take Jim Thorpe. ML basball player, NLF HOF, College All-American, College Football HOF, Olympic Pentathlon and Decathlon champ, and professional basketball. That’s pretty tough to beat.
Just a minor correction, Sam. There are actually three Stanley Cups. The Original kept in the HOF, the authenticated goes back to the HOF and the replica that the teams keeps for one year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_cQ3qNUGBM
Babe Ruth farewell speech
I believe the replica Stanley Cup is kept in the HOF.
The Cup winning teams get the real one but at some unknown point they have to surrender it back to the HOF and then it replaces the replica until the next winner gets it.
Regarding the previous post, Santana has been very good for the Mets, but not you-know-who good!
Hey Sam, it’s Brian, the 11-year old who spoke to you today at the County Center. Just wanted to tell you it was great meeting you, and I’ve been a loyal reader of the blog for a long time now. It’s guys like you, Chad, and Pete Abe who have inspired me to become a Yankee writer once I’m older. Thanks for the great blog, and go Yankees!
Some of you guys are really old. That’s just too much knowledge.
A replica cup would have been good enough for Adrian Beltre.
Hi:
I thought it seemed impossible that the WS Trophy could be in Asia yesterday and Westchester, New York, USA today, even taking into account the big 14-hour time difference. We went and it was cool. Line wasn’t so bad; took maybe 10 minutes to get our shot with the trophy. They probably could have done better than to stick the trophy against a dirty wall and under a bright, ugly light, and it seemed a bit unnecessary to have a Westchester Parks representative bark at everybody every few minutes not to touch the trophy. Here people were to celebrate. No one was misbehaving (or touching the trophy), and he could have more nicely said, “Have fun everyone, take your time, get your photo, but please remember not to touch the Trophy.” But it was fun and free and a cool opportunity.
Oh, by the way, did any Yankees show up? I went early at 11am, and I overheard someone saying someone from the Yankees was going to come. Did anyone?
Nick in SF
February 6th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Regarding the previous post, Santana has been very good for the Mets, but not you-know-who good!
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I still don’t know what that means. LOL
You could argue that it was the least clever advertising line ever, but 8 months later we are still discussing it, so maybe it was actually rather brilliant
Great job on the correction GB — thanks for clarifying. As great as it is that having multiple trophies allows fans to get close at events like today’s (and the ones in Asia), I do think there’s something pretty cool about having a cup passed between the teams that is updated year after year. I like the sense of history it offers.
Yankeeboy: Thanks again. Much appreciated and keep writing!
why didnt we at least sign matsui? i still dont get that one.
and dont tell me its bc nick johnson is younger… matsui may be older but he’s certaintly been able to keep himself on the field, you cant say that about NJ.
Well, I knew that there were three Stanley Cups.
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“Original, authenticated, and replica versions
There are actually three Stanley Cups: the original bowl, the authenticated Cup, and the replica at the Hall of Fame. The original bowl purchased by Lord Stanley, and physically awarded to the champion for the first 71 years of competition, is currently displayed at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario.
The authenticated version or “Presentation Cup” was created in 1963 by Montreal silversmith Carl Petersen. It is authenticated by the seal of the Hockey Hall of Fame on the bottom of the Cup, which can be seen when winning players lift the Cup over their heads, and it is the one currently awarded to the champions of the playoffs and used for promotions.[41] This version was made in secret, and its production was only revealed three years later.
The replica trophy, called the Replica Cup, was created in 1993 by Montreal silversmith Louise St. Jacques to be used as a stand-in at the Hockey Hall of Fame whenever the Presentation Cup is not available for display.
There are very few differences between the authenticated version and the replica version. The quickest way to determine if it is the authenticated version is to check the 1984 Stanley Cup winning Edmonton Oilers. The authenticated version has Basil Pocklington’s with X’s over his name. The replica version does not have his name at all.”
We didn’t sign Matsui because, among other reasons, Cashman wanted/valued Johnny Damon more than he wanted/valued Matsui.
As far as I can tell.
Sorry, Sam. I got corrected too. As long as the right information gets out, who cares who gets it done. That’s the advantage this blog has over others…a lot of information in the brains.
Just don’t take Randy I’s word on anything. He’s too old to figure out whether he’s supposed to wind his butt or scratch his watch. or the other way around. He means well, though.
Ahem
That’s Peter Pocklington past Edmonton Oiler owner.
http://www.vancouversun.com/Fo.....y+settleme
But for Peter Pocklington larges, Sather’s phony reputation a competent GM would never have taken root.
Bo knows
February 6th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Ahem
That’s Peter Pocklington past Edmonton Oiler owner.
http://www.vancouversun.com/Fo…..y+settleme
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I’m well aware of that. Basil’s name was engraved on the cup and was Peter Pocklington’s father. PP wanted the name on there and it was later X’ed out because it didn’t belong.
But for Peter Pocklington larges, Sather’s phony reputation a competent GM would never have taken root.
Sather was just bright enough to hire bright people. His rep was courtesy of Bruce McGregor, his asst GM and later John Muckler. The latter had spent years as Coach/GM in the AHL.
It was McGregor who lobbied Lowe, Messier, Anderson the first year and Kurri the next. Gretzky was a personal services sale by a hustler. Talk about a windfall.
I’m well aware of that. Basil’s name was engraved on the cup and was Peter Pocklington’s father. PP wanted the name on there and it was later X’ed out because it didn’t belong.
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Damn, didn’t know that and I’m from Edmonton.
Happy Birthday wishes go out to the greatest Yankee of them all!
Regarding the previous thread, I personally find looking back to be a huge waste of energy for many reasons. One is that there is never any way to tell what would have happened. A player’s experience somewhere else is just that. Nothing says that Santana would have gotten injured as a Yankee, just as nothing says Santana would have been dominant as a Yankee. So my answer to that is who cares? If Phil Hughes ended up being the biggest flop in the world and Johann Santana won the NL Cy every single year, it still doesn’t mean that Santana would have been special at the Stadium. For the record, I did not want Santana nor I want to see Hughes traded in any deal. But even with players I may have wanted, or wanted to stay and did not, that was then and this is now. I wanted Bobby Abreu back, but I am not doing any mindless pointing to what he did last season and pretending I know he would have done it in the Stadium – because there is no way to know that. That’s why I consider that kind of retrospective a huge waste of time and also silly. You’re attempting to intuit something that is truly unknowable. IMO, the smart thing to do is move on.
Or: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_If_(comics)
Erica I may have this totally mixed up but last season I think people were referring to CC when they talked about “you-know-who good”. Somehow I think the comparisons were about Santana and CC. Of course I could have that all wrong.
Babe Ruth wanted to maximize his salary just as much as Johnny Damon does. i think his salary requirements was one of the reasons Frazee sold him to the Yanks!
Damon is the latest installment of the excellent tradition of the Yanks nabbing good players from Boston.
so i bet Babe would share my thoughts, which is that if Damon can be had today for 2 years, $7 million – which i gather from the Tiger rumors – the Yanks are bloody stupid not to offer that.
CC was in the commercials.
Was it about Subway sandwiches or something?
For whatever reason, that caused a big stink in Detroit and Chicago. I assume in other places as well, but, they were hot about in in those two cities.
Not sure how you guys could have discounted the input that Grant Fuhr and Paul Coffey, among others like Kevin Lowe had on those teams.
Yes, Subway. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d0aC6HmxAA
2 years for damon is insane. his legs wont hold up. he will be out of baseball before that contract ends
Thanks. Well I was somewhere in the ballpark!
Because I’m bored. here is a list of trades and deals between Boston and NY from 1918-1923.
Two other notes about the Ruth deal: Although Frazee produced “No, No, Nanette”, the Ruth deal had nothing to do with it. He used that money to produce “My Lady Friend”. There was also a $300,000 loan to Boston in that deal, too. The collateral was the pink slip to Fenway Park.
Bullet Joe Bush—December 1921. Pitched in two pennant seasons for the Yankees. Traded for Rip Collins (pitcher), Roger Peckinpaugh, Bill Piercy, Jack Quinn.
Joe Dugan—July 1922. Played for five Yankee pennant teams. Traded for Chick Fewster, Elmer Miller, Johnny Mitchell, Lefty O’Doul.
Harvey Hendrick—January 1923. Never played for Red Sox; was in 1923 World Series with Yankees. Traded for Al DeVormer, who batted .254 after trade (Hendrick’s lifetime average was .308).
Waite Hoyt—December 1920. Traded (with Harry Harper, Wally Schang, and Mike McNally) for Del Pratt, Muddy Ruel, Hank Thormahlen, and Sammy Vick. Hoyt pitched for the Yankees in ten seasons, and was in seven World Series (including the 1931 Series, with the Philadelphia A’s).
Sad Sam Jones—December 1921. Traded with Joe Bush (q. v.). Pitched five seasons with Yankees.
Carl Mays—July 1919. Traded to Yankees for players Bob McGraw and Allan Russell. Became persona non grata after killing Ray Chapman with a beanball in a game in 1920, although absolved of criminal blame.
Herb Pennock—January 1923. Traded to Yankees for Camp Skinner, Norm McMillan, and George Murray. Pennock stayed with the Yankees until 1933, pitching in five Series.
George Pipgras—January 1923. Traded to the Yankees for Al DeVormer (supra). Pipgras never played for Boston; his eleven-year career included three Yankee pennant seasons.
Babe Ruth—the biggest sale Frazee made. He sold Ruth to the Yankees for $125,000 plus a $300,000 mortgage on Fenway Park.
Wally Schang—December 1920. Traded to the Yankees for Pratt, Ruel, Thormahlen, and Vick. Caught for three Yankee pennant teams.
Everett Scott—traded along with Joe Bush (q.v.). Scott set consecutive-game playing record it took Lou Gehrig to break.
Elmer Smith—July 1922. Traded to Yankees with Joe Dugan (q. v.). Was famous as first player (with Indians in 1920) to hit grand slam homer in World Series.
News out of Venezuela: the Big Cat, Andres Galarraga being brought on to coach Miguel Cabrera during spring training. Believes he will have a break out year.
Now that’s a bat to be reckoned with.
happy bithday to the big guy!
Watching Paul Coffey head up the ice with that smooth skating style was worth the price of admission. Our section would give him a standing O. We also had a rating system for his rushes as in best this year, top ten all time etc.
I enjoyed watching the Oiler teams when possible. I loved watching the Blackhawks play, with Stan Mikita at center than the Hull Brothers (Bobby and Dennis) blowing up the wings. Biggest mistake they ever made was trading Phil Esposito, Kenny Hodge and Fred Stanfield to Boston for Pit Martin and a defenseman named Marotte.
GB7-It’s not completely true that the money had nothing to do with No,No, Nanette. “My Lady Friends” was the first, non-musical version of that play.
Babe Ruth was the greatest baseball player of all time. Can’t imagine how much money he’d be making if he were playing today.
Next week is the last full week without Yankees in uniform.
Pitchers and catchers have their physicals on 2/17 and first workouts the next day.
tick – tock – tick – tock ……….
Fran (the original) and OPPC member
February 6th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Babe Ruth was the greatest baseball player of all time. Can’t imagine how much money he’d be making if he were playing today.
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He wouldn’t have gotten that much. After a few very good years as a top Boston pitcher, he became just a part time pitcher.
GreenBeret7
February 6th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
He wouldn’t have gotten that much. After a few very good years as a top Boston pitcher, he became just a part time pitcher.
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And GB7 would know, he was there when the Babe was first scouted!!!!
GB,
LOL. How are you feeling? Hope all is well.
I enjoyed watching the Oiler teams when possible. I loved watching the Blackhawks play, with Stan Mikita at center than the Hull Brothers (Bobby and Dennis) blowing up the wings. Biggest mistake they ever made was trading Phil Esposito, Kenny Hodge and Fred Stanfield to Boston for Pit Martin and a defenseman named Marotte.
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Whoa GB, you’re funnin me. Mohns Mikita, Wharram maybe.
Bobby blew up ice, yes, but Dennis?
You’re just checking me, right?
“It’ll be no easy task for Joe Girardi to lead the Yanks to back-to-back titles. ”
http://www.northjersey.com/spo.....epeat.html
“In fact, there are enough baseball executives who think the Bombers are set to run off another mini-dynasty. They have the AL’s most talented roster, they have a $200 million payroll and, most importantly, they’re being governed more efficiently than at any time in the last 20 years.”
http://www.northjersey.com/spo.....epeat.html
babe ruth wasnt that good. he was a drunk and a womanizer. he played in an era where the skill level is much inferior then it is now.
Azaz February 6th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
babe Ruth wasn’t that good. he was a drunk and a womanizer. he played in an era where the skill level is much inferior then it is now.
Jerry Hairston Jr. > Babe Ruth
pat,
Thanks for that. I was prepared for a flame job, but it was pretty good.
Pretty fair account of the state of the Yankees. As for Girardi? I believe him (for the most part) when he says he’s not worried about job security. He’d most definitely be employed as soon as the pink slip hit the rubbish can.
And I love the line about Torre’s storytelling abilities. He was definitely good at it, and Torre certainly held court with the writing corps.
As for the loser to the pen? I think they’ll handle it well. Both guys want to contribute in any way that they can. Phil Hughes certainly set a good example on how to handle the disappointment of being taken out of the rotation.
Lots of good personalities on the team, hard to get down on yourself when there’s so much positive energy around.
Let the good times roll.
The babe just played in a loosy goosy era where everyone drank all night. The dude hit more dingers than entire teams when he first came up…what a bum.
Pat M
babe ruth wasnt that good. he was a drunk and a womanizer. he played in an era where the skill level is much inferior then it is now.
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Mickey Mantle wasn’t that good…..
Woods and Jeter aren’t that good….
ad nauseum
“and dont tell me its bc nick johnson is younger… matsui may be older but he’s certaintly been able to keep himself on the field, you cant say that about NJ.”
Plate Attempts:
2009
NJ: 574
Hideki: 526
2008
NJ: 147
Hideki: 378
2007
NJ: Did not play
Hideki: 633
2006
NJ: 628
Hideki: 201
I’ll never understand why snow is such a big story. Literally the first 10 minutes of the nightly news is dedicated to it.
Such n such place got 12 inches. Another place got 8 inches…such n such was spared…
Shovels, plows, sleds, gloves, coats don’t forget your rocksalt!
It’s just freakin snow! We know the drill.
It’s snowed before…It’ll snow again.
I agree with Azaz. Babe Ruth wasn’t that good at all. What a riot that he pulled the wool over everybody’s eyes! Can you imagine that somehow, in the drunkin’ stupor of the day, a drunkin’ press corps and a drunkin’ nation somehow christened Yankee Stadium “The House that Ruth Built.” I’m getting woozy just thinking about it.
On the other hand, for a “drunk and a womanizer” to be able to pull it together and go out and perform the way he did, well I guess he deserves a little credit. And as far as the skills in the Babe’s time being inferior to the skills of today, I don’t know about that either. I think it’s just possible that were the players in Babe’s era able to travel on chartered planes, be pampered in whirlpools, receive massages, have trainers and therapists at their beck and call, have surgery at the ready rather than play through pain, and have coaches pampering them at every step of the game, heck they might be superior to today’s players.
You know, Azaz, I think I’ve changed my mind. The Babe is probably the best player to grace a baseball field, hands down. He is the danged KING. Babe, you are the king of baseball. I bow to you and I thank you for defining and becoming the face of the team that is the best in the history of organized sports.