Babe Ruth's 1922 Season

[Wolf Hopper]

In 1922, Babe Ruth was suspened - five separate times. Five.

Why is this not talked about more often? Imagine what would happen to a player today if he was sent packing 5 times in one year.

[KCBOOMER]

Imagine what would happen to a player today if he was sent packing 5 times in one year.


Oh, that's easy. The Union would file a grievance after each and every one. :D

[Wolf Hopper]

Good point Boomer. But, given the nature of each suspension for Ruth in 1992, I doubt even the MLBPA would have made a difference.

[sweaver]

And in 1922, Harry Frazee spent a lot of time saying, "I told you so!"

[Wolf Hopper]

And in 1922, Harry Frazee spent a lot of time saying, "I told you so!" True, soooooooo true.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

True, soooooooo true.
I still think Harry was fool. Had he not got rid of Ruth he would have profited in the long run.
No doubt, the young Babe was problem, but...........................
Ruth the pitcher, won 9 lost 5.

Ruth the hitter and where he ranked in the AL IN 1919.

Batting Average---6th

Doubles-----------5th

Triple-------------6th

Walks------------2nd

First in the following EBH's, HRs, RBIs, runs, total bases, ISO,OBA, OPS.

I think Harry should have gave that move more thought. All this and only 432 at bats.

[Throwback]

Hey Steve, you mentioned the nature of the fines...do you have a breakdown of the reasons? I'm not familiar with all of them.

[Wolf Hopper]

Hey Steve, you mentioned the nature of the fines...do you have a breakdown of the reasons? I'm not familiar with all of them.

One was for barnstorming, IIRC, and I think another was for fighting with his Mgr - 'tho I could be wrong. I'll have to go back and look.

[TGwynn19]

I just watched Ken Burns' excellent DVD about the '20's and the main focus was Ruth. Off the top of my head the suspensions were for: barnstorming, fighting with a fan in the stands, and showing up for games hung over/drunk. One suspention was only lifted until he apologized to each teammate.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

Hey Steve, you mentioned the nature of the fines...do you have a breakdown of the reasons? I'm not familiar with all of them.

This is what I have, some one can check them, correct them if I am in error.

May 25,Thown out at second attempting to stretch single into a double. Throws dirt in face of ump George Hillibrand, tossed from game. On way to dugout is heckled, jumps on dugout roof then into stands. Ruth is held back by some fans as heckler makes a quick retreat.
That night Ban Johnson suspends Ruth. Yankees leave for series with Washington. Washington owner Clark Griffith feels a Ruth suspension will hurt him at the gate. He begs Johnson to lift the suspension, Johnson gives in, but fines Ruth 200.00.

June 19, A close play at second, Indian runner is called safe. Ruth runs in from the outfield, curses umpire Dineen. suspended 3 days. Next day, Ruth confronts Dineen, threatens him. Johnson suspends him 2 more days.
Later Ruth apologizes to Dineen.

August 30, Called out on strikes, he objects to ump Tom Connolly, obscene language, tossed from game.
Ruth plays next game but on September 1, Johnson suspends him for abusing ump, 3 days.

I think I missed at least one here. Does that additional 2 days on June 19 count as another suspension, or is it an addition to the original 3 days.
Also, though I did not list it, does the suspension for barn storming which took effect at the beginning of the 1922 season count, since the suspension was handed down before the 1922 season.

George Herman is a hard guy to keep up with on or off the field. I often frequent the N.Y.Times archives at the public library.I was amazed at how many times he was issued a citation for speeding, at times a few in one month and a steady pattern over many years. Could be because he was Babe Ruth, no idea how his drivers license was never revoked.

[Rajah]

Was ump baiting still common in the 20's? Or was Ruth more an exception than a rule?

[SmedIndy]

When has umpire baiting NOT happened, really?

[Wolf Hopper]

Here's what I have -

Suspended the first 6 weeks of the season for barnstorming the previous winter.
Less than a week after that was served, he threw dirt at an ump and went after a fan in the stands - and was suspended for one game. :shockbig:

On June 19th, he was suspended for cussing at an ump. That was #3.
The next day, he came after the ump again, and the AL Pres gave him another 2 days suspension - that's #4.

# 5 game in August - Ruth was called out on strikes, and went after a heckler in the stands, was blocked by the ump, and then Ruth starting cussing the ump.

All kinda Albert Belle-ish, if you ask me.

[Elmo]

Here's what I have -

Suspended the first 6 weeks of the season for barnstorming the previous winter.
Less than a week after that was served, he threw dirt at an ump and went after a fan in the stands - and was suspended for one game. :shockbig:

On June 19th, he was suspended for cussing at an ump. That was #3.
The next day, he came after the ump again, and the AL Pres gave him another 2 days suspension - that's #4.

# 5 game in August - Ruth was called out on strikes, and went after a heckler in the stands, was blocked by the ump, and then Ruth starting cussing the ump.

All kinda Albert Belle-ish, if you ask me.

Thank God he didn't drink.....what would've happened then? :beer:

[Elmo]

. Could be because he was Babe Ruth, no idea how his drivers license was never revoked.


That's easy - no driver's licenses back then. My pop drove until they started requiring them and then he quit - he was wealthy enough to afford a chaffeur of course....that would have been my mom..... :D

[SHOELESSJOE3]

Here's what I have -

Suspended the first 6 weeks of the season for barnstorming the previous winter.
Less than a week after that was served, he threw dirt at an ump and went after a fan in the stands - and was suspended for one game. :shockbig:

On June 19th, he was suspended for cussing at an ump. That was #3.
The next day, he came after the ump again, and the AL Pres gave him another 2 days suspension - that's #4.

# 5 game in August - Ruth was called out on strikes, and went after a heckler in the stands, was blocked by the ump, and then Ruth starting cussing the ump.

All kinda Albert Belle-ish, if you ask me.

Wolf, looks like our figures match up close. I can't find any source that says Ruth attempted to go into stands in the month of August, only May, when he actually did. Not saying it did not happen in August, just can't find any info on that.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

That's easy - no driver's licenses back then. My pop drove until they started requiring them and then he quit - he was wealthy enough to afford a chaffeur of course....that would have been my mom..... :D

Found this bit of information. From the DMV. After December 31, 1913 no one may operate or drive a motor vehicle without a license. I assume they mean a driver's license and not a license plate.

I do know in some states the law was lax but hard to believe anyone could drive in N.Y. city with no drivers' license.

[Elmo]

Found this bit of information. From the DMV. After December 31, 1913 no one may operate or drive a motor vehicle without a license. I assume they mean a driver's license and not a license plate.

I do know in some states the law was lax but hard to believe anyone could drive in N.Y. city with no drivers' license.


In general the plates preceeded the operators license - depends on the states.... - but I can't find when the drivers license was required. Most states required plates by 1918, mosts states had licensing (not necessarily tests) by the late 30's.

Mass had operating licenses as early as 1899 and NY had Chaffeur license as early as 1915...

And Hey...sorry to contradict you - ALL KINDS of drivers drive in NYC today without licenses :D

[SHOELESSJOE3]

In general the plates preceeded the operators license - depends on the states.... - but I can't find when the drivers license was required. Most states required plates by 1918, mosts states had licensing (not necessarily tests) by the late 30's.

Mass had operating licenses as early as 1899 and NY had Chaffeur license as early as 1915...

And Hey...sorry to contradict you - ALL KINDS of drivers drive in NYC today without licenses :D

I could be wrong, will look for more concrete info.

No problem Elmo, I consider your view a difference of opinion.

I hear ya Elmo, many, many drivers driving in N.Y.C. without a license, illegal or expired plates and "What the Hell", no insurance. Why not go all the way.

[Elmo]

I could be wrong, will look for more concrete info.

No problem Elmo, I consider your view a difference of opinion.

I hear ya, many , many drivers driving in N.Y.C. without a license, illegal or expired plates and "What the Hell", no insurance. Why not go all the way.

Yeah...the whole concept of 'operators' licenses and 'driving licenses' seem to be very different - Vermont had drive licenses that were part of an omnibus regulation - and then they authorized testing in 1921.....

It's very possible that my dad didn't have to undergo testing...but still paid for a license (that would have been normal - like a fishing license at the time) and when they asked him to test he said no.

I wonder whether, licenses excepted whether there was a point system then - just joking.

And God forbid you google driving license and history......

[Wolf Hopper]

Wolf, looks like our figures match up close. I can't find any source that says Ruth attempted to go into stands in the month of August, only May, when he actually did. Not saying it did not happen in August, just can't find any info on that.

Here's why I have:

8/30/22 - he was called on strikes by Tom Connolly and then tossed from the game, for language. Ruth started for the stands to go after a "heckler" (according to my source) and Connolly stopped him.

FWIW, Connolly must have gave him a good lecture - it was the last time Ruth was ever ejected from a game.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

Here's why I have:

8/30/22 - he was called on strikes by Tom Connolly and then tossed from the game, for language. Ruth started for the stands to go after a "heckler" (according to my source) and Connolly stopped him.

FWIW, Connolly must have gave him a good lecture - it was the last time Ruth was ever ejected from a game.

OK Wolf, I take you at your word. My source may not have gone into the fuller detail that your source did.