Check That Bat

[SHOELESSJOE3]

From the archives of N.Y.Times. Sunday June 12,1927. Babe Ruth hit two home runs yesterday, one of them so long that Luke Sewell the Indian catcher demanded the inspection of Ruth's bat. The drive at Yankee Stadium was hit into the center-field bleachers in front of the score board. "Lemme see that stick. Nobody could hit one that far without a slug of lead or something in the end of his bat." Sewell scrutinized the end of the bat, balanced it in one hand and even sniffed it. Sewell found nothing illegal but was unconvinced and shook his head skeptically.

From the archives of the N.Y.World Telegram, Sunday June 12, 1927. Babe Ruth, the "King of krash" left 30,000 Yankee Stadium fans gasping as he drove a a ball high and far over the 487 foot marker in center-field. There was a buzz in the park that went on for a several minutes after the drive, many seeming to be in disbelief at what they had just witnessed. Just when you think the Bambino has showed us all he can do, he tops that.

There was one individual who was really not willing to believe his own eyes. Before Ruth has made his rounds of the bases Indian catcher Luke Sewell pounced on the bat, turned it around, gave it the balance test and even smelled the weapon. He then demanded that the umpire inspect the bat. Nothing illegal was found. After the game Sewell claimed he was suspicious because he detected a metallic sound when Ruth made contact and believed no mortal could possibly hit a ball that high and that far.

Through the years others were asked to give their take on Ruth making contact. Walter Johnson said "At times it was hard to believe your eyes on the distance of Ruth's drives. When he made contact there was a clicking sound, like when billiard balls collide."

[Skip]

Instigator. ;)

[pathogan]

...tells a similar story, about how the SOUNd that Ruth made was unique{untilhe heard Josh Gibson,the, interestingly,Bo Jackson make a similar noise].Must be SOMETHING to it

[KCBOOMER]

Great find SJ3!

The Buck O'Neill story will send chills down your spine when you hear him tell it.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

Originally posted by KCBOOMER
Great find SJ3!

The Buck O'Neill story will send chills down your spine when you hear him tell it.
I love listening to Buck, he has some great stories to tell. He told of another time when Ruth and Satchel Paige met up during an exhibition game. Paige retired Ruth in his first two at bats. In his third at bat Ruth hit what Buck described as a long home run. He went on to say that the game was held up for some minutes until a young boy retrieved the ball. Paige then went to Ruth shook hands and then had Ruth autograph the ball.
That had to be some sight, Ruth and one hell of a pitcher, the great Satchel Paige standing at home plate. Imagine if Josh Gibson had been the catcher, these three standing at home plate. A shame Satchel, Josh, Buck and some other black stars never got their chance at MLB, the history would have been greatly enriched. What really impressed me about Buck is that he never seems to harbor any hard feelings about the fact that his skin color denied him a shot at MLB. I am sure it had to hurt him, he never shows it. Buck is some man.

[TimmyB]

All I can picture here is Albert Belle pointing to his bicep in the '95 playoffs when the Red Sox challenged his bat. (Of course, if we are to believe Omar Vizquel, maybe this is the wrong analogy...).

(As for Buck O'Neill, I could listen to him talk anytime, anywhere.)

[WiredTiger]

I am sure the Babe got a lot of whispers. He was doing things that no one had ever done before. It must have been some sight just to see the Babe swing, let alone to see him crush a home run.