The Day I Met Babe Ruth
Stone193
Posts: 24,438 ✭✭✭✭✭
Every year in Tampa hope springs eternal with the start of baseball training camp. After 3 beers and the crack of the bat and ball, my dad recounts, at McCormick's Bar and Grill, about the momentous event in history when "baby mike" met the Sultan of Swat.
I was reminiscing about this since it was December of 1979 that my dad passed away. Actually, he was dying of congestive heart disease and told me not to use any euphemisms when recalling the events of his life. After all, he said, don't tell people about the day I passed - that's what quarterbacks do! Don't talk about the day you "lost" your dad - that makes you look like an idiot! "Come on! - can't you even keep track of one old man!" Just tell them "I died." He fancied himself a comedian - the Bob Hope of Houston Street.
I was born the infamous winter storm of 1947. We lived in a 5 story walk-up in Manhattan along with my 2 yr old sister - Marsha, our cocker spaniel - Inky and a fat cat - Dusty. After 24 consecutive days of colic, my mom told my dad to take the dog and kids out for a walk - the crying was driving her up a wall. We were bundled up and politely escorted out the door with Inky in tow. Four blocks from our house, my dad approached the home where the "Babe" was sitting on his stoop waving at passers-by. My sister had stunning blond curls, a la Shirley Temple - everyone fancied their child...the next Ms. Temple in an era of child movie stars. We approached Ruth and my dad asked him how he was doing? They talked about NYC, the Yankees, the weather, the neighborhood...when the Babe looked down and told my dad that my sister was "so pretty"...but he then looked at my dad and said: "but that's the ugliest baby I think I have ever seen!" My dad and the Babe had a big laugh (at my expense) and the rest is ancient history. My dad loved telling that story and I never minded. Now if it were Barry Bonds? Hmmmm.
And that's the story of how I met the Sultan of Swat.
Merry Christmas
mike
I was reminiscing about this since it was December of 1979 that my dad passed away. Actually, he was dying of congestive heart disease and told me not to use any euphemisms when recalling the events of his life. After all, he said, don't tell people about the day I passed - that's what quarterbacks do! Don't talk about the day you "lost" your dad - that makes you look like an idiot! "Come on! - can't you even keep track of one old man!" Just tell them "I died." He fancied himself a comedian - the Bob Hope of Houston Street.
I was born the infamous winter storm of 1947. We lived in a 5 story walk-up in Manhattan along with my 2 yr old sister - Marsha, our cocker spaniel - Inky and a fat cat - Dusty. After 24 consecutive days of colic, my mom told my dad to take the dog and kids out for a walk - the crying was driving her up a wall. We were bundled up and politely escorted out the door with Inky in tow. Four blocks from our house, my dad approached the home where the "Babe" was sitting on his stoop waving at passers-by. My sister had stunning blond curls, a la Shirley Temple - everyone fancied their child...the next Ms. Temple in an era of child movie stars. We approached Ruth and my dad asked him how he was doing? They talked about NYC, the Yankees, the weather, the neighborhood...when the Babe looked down and told my dad that my sister was "so pretty"...but he then looked at my dad and said: "but that's the ugliest baby I think I have ever seen!" My dad and the Babe had a big laugh (at my expense) and the rest is ancient history. My dad loved telling that story and I never minded. Now if it were Barry Bonds? Hmmmm.
And that's the story of how I met the Sultan of Swat.
Merry Christmas
mike
Mike
0
Comments
I got Kamala and Jake the Snake Roberts' autograph when I went to a Mid-South Wrestling gig back in 1981, but that is pretty pale in comparison to your story.
Julen
RIP GURU
If it makes you feel any better Curt Henning (of WWF wrestling fame) threatened to kick my arse outside the Robin Bar & Lounge when I was about 8 years old. (for the record, I did nothing and he was trashed) At least the Babe just called you unfortunate looking.
Happy Holidays.
-Josh
Edited to say (Holy crap Julen. I posted my anecdote and it ws about a wrestler too, I hadn't even seen your post yet. lol. )
My eBay Store
BigCrumbs! I made over $250 last year!
hehe
Julen
RIP GURU
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
You have posted 7,056 times and not told that story? What's wrong with you, man! That's a great story!
Shane
<< <i>Mike,
You have posted 7,056 times and not told that story? What's wrong with you, man! That's a great story! >>
Frank
Just imagine what I'm saving for 14K!!!
Matt
1994 Pro Line Live
TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject
Merry Christmas
Shawn
I wrote this in a thread a few days back that my great uncle had faced Babe Ruth in the 1918 World Series. In his own words in letter he said that Babe had a presence that only a few obtain. My great uncle said it was hard facing him at the plate. He did manage 1 hit off of him in the Series.
<< <i>Sure you didn't look...
hehe
Julen >>
Julen,
your avatar picture describes your postings perfectly!!!!!