The Mets Police

Another great one from the archives...from April 2009, Babe Ruth's grandson wonders why there's no statue of the Babe at New Yankee Stadium.

Is there room for the Babe in the House That George Built? Brent Stevens, the great-grandson of Babe Ruth, and co-founder of Babe Ruth Central (http://www.baberuthcentral.com/) shares his thoughts on this exclusively for the Mets Police.

From a Ruth descendant - Thoughts on the Babe's "presence" at the New Yankee Stadium and "Should there be a statue?"

As one of the great grandsons of Babe Ruth, the day I learned that "The House That Ruth Built" would be replaced with a new stadium, I certainly felt a sense of loss - not only of family heritage, but also a loss for the fans who won't get the opportunity to see where he accomplished his legendary feats. Last year, my grandmother, Julia Ruth Stevens, was repeatedly asked how she felt about the House that Ruth built being replaced and she responded, "I guess all good things must come to an end. I hate to see 'Daddy's House' go, but perhaps it's time to move on."

The Yankees invited The Ruth-Stevens family to a couple of games during the Yankees last season in 2008. Julia was given the ultimate privilege of throwing out the final ceremonial first pitch in old Yankee Stadium. That day, I was extremely proud of the Yankees, of my heritage, and of my grandmother (I might add it was a great throw for a 92 year old) and I'm very grateful to the Yankee organization for the honor bestowed upon the family. However, as a descendant of the Babe, I am concerned about his ongoing legacy within the new Stadium and the Yankee organization as a whole, which has emphasized that the new stadium will not be recognized as "The House That Ruth Built". The Yankees, while acknowledging the past, are moving in a new direction with a significant focus on the future of the Yankees.

Of course as a major league franchise and a business, it's important that the Yankees always look ahead to new opportunities, new championships and new heroes. And they'll be doing just that, in their brand new stadium. I haven't had the opportunity to visit it yet, so my comments are not first hand. But, based on feedback from friends, it sounds like Babe is given his due in Babe Ruth Plaza (outside the park on the first base side). Unfortunately, I have also heard that Monument Park is completely hidden from view behind an eight foot wall. In my opinion, Monument Park is hallowed Yankee ground and should be readily visible, to not only recognize the legends that made the Yankees what they are today, but also to arouse the curiousity of the younger generations and encourage them to learn about the Yankee players who set the benchmark for baseball greatness.

A statue would be most fitting. After all, Babe is not only a huge part of the Yankees' legacy, but of baseball's legacy as a whole. He has been singlehandedly credited with having saved baseball after the severe disappointment and sense of betrayal that came with the "Black Sox Scandal" of 1919. His ability to hit home runs like no other, before or since, forever changed how the game is played. As a fan of baseball and its history (and not just a Ruth relative), I think it's important for today's fans to know just how important the Babe was to baseball and how fortunate the Yankees were to have him as a founding member of their franchise. The Giants have a statue of Willie Mays, the Cardinals have statues of Roger Hornsby and Stan "The Man" Musial, and the Braves have "Hammerin' Hank". Can it seriously be said that the Babe is any less important? A statue of the Babe out in front of the New Yankee Stadium would be a perfect "passing of the torch" from the old "House That Ruth Built" to the new "House That George (Steinbrenner) Built". The Yankees should do all they can to promote their heritage and legendary players. Hopefully, they will be open to new opportunities to do so. And what better way, than with a statue of the Babe, front and center of the new stadium. It's the right thing to do.

Brent Stevens - great grandson of Babe Ruth and co-founder of BabeRuthCentral.com

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Mark McGwire can't get elected.

Pete Rose and Joe Jackson are banned.

The way it looks now, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmiero, and Alex Rodriguez won't get in either

MLB and the BBWAA want to maintain the "purity" of the Hall of Fame.

OK, I'll get on board with that. But if we really want to keep the Hall pure, then we have to do some house-cleaning. Time to weed out those who are "un-worthy." Let's start with 15 for now:

1. Babe Ruth - The man was a drunk and a womanizer. He openly violated federal law (prohibition). He also fathered a child by a woman other than his wife.
2. Ty Cobb - A racist and murderer. Also accused of fixing games
   
3. Tris Speaker - Accused of fixing games with Cobb
4. Cap Anson - Racist.
5. Pud Galvin - Steroid user
6. Enos Slaughter - Racist
7. Gaylord Perry - Admitted to using a spitball in clear violation of MLB rules
8. Kirby Pucket - Womanizer
9. Paul Molitor - Admitted drug user
10. Fergie Jenkins - Admitted drug user
11. Don Sutton - Admitted doctoring baseballs
12. Whitey Ford - Admitted doctoring baseballs
13. Rogers Hornsby - Admitted to cheating in a self-penned article "You've Got To Cheat To Win"
14. Ralph Kiner - Admitted to using amphetamines
15. Willie Stargell - Used Amphetamines
    

And I haven't even gotten started on the non-players in the Hall (you know Comiskey is at the top of that list).

Who else should we weed out? Or better yet, who will be left once we are done?

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On this day 104 years ago, the greatest player to ever step on to a baseball diamond was born in Baltimore, MD.

The Babe's records may fall, but nobody will ever surpass him. He was not only the greatest hitter of all time, but one of the greatest pitchers of his time.

We've written about the Babe and his contributions before on the Mets Police. I argued for retiring his number, while my colleague argued against it. Whichever way you feel, today honor the Babe the way he would want to be honored - raise a beer or eat a hot dog.

And if you happen to be in the Detroit area on Saturday, please stop by Tom's Tavern (10093 W 7 Mile Rd - by Washburn) for the 22nd Annual Babe Ruth Birthday Bash. Tell them the Mets fan told you to drop in.

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Technically out of our jurisdiction, but a really good posting about how MLB is promoting Ken Griffey Jr.'s pursuit of 600 HRs. In their TV spot, MLB lists the dates when Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron hit their 600th. But hold on a second, I seem to recall in the last few years 2 other players surpassed 600. Don't tell me that Bud Selig and cohorts are purposefully ignoring Mr. Bonds and Mr. Sosa.

"Rather than group Griffey together with three Hall of Famers and two alleged steroids cheats, the league decided to exclude Bonds (the all-time home run champion) and Sosa, who reached 600 just last year. Now, I’m no steroids apologist, but that’s deceitful, dumb, and the act of a weenie (Mr. Selig). Bonds and Sosa’s numbers haven’t been stricken from the record. Moreover, they were the last two players to reach this cherished plateau. Yet to watch MLB.TV, you’d think a hitter hadn’t reached 600 since (cue the solemn piano music)… “Hank Aaron, April 27, 1971.” Why make the commercial at all if you’re going to insult the intelligence of baseball fans?"

The steroid era is part of MLB history - whether you like it or not it has to be acknowledged.

Wicked Good Sports: As Griffey approaches 600, MLB whitewashes history

I respectfully disagree with my colleague and feel that MLB should retire Babe Ruth's number across all teams.

Simply put, no single player did more to save baseball than did George Herman Ruth. Even before the Black Sox scandal of 1919, baseball had been beset with accusations of games fixing for decades. Gamblers were a constant presence at ball parks and the public's view of the "professional" game was quickly sinking to new lows. Attendance had been suffering as the public was drawn more towards the "pureness" of amateur competition.

Judge Landis did much to clean up the game, but the public was already disillusioned. It took a man of mythic proportions, a man who could accomplish feats never dreamed of to bring back the fans.

His numbers are legendary, but it went further than that. He was in many ways a kid at heart - he loved the fans, loved kids, and was very approachable (unlike Cobb, the other all-time great of the time).

Ruth not only saved baseball, but helped transform it into a spectacle. The Yankees had to build the first modern stadium in order to accomodate the crowds that would gather to see him.
Ruth was also among the first players to internationalize the game. Yes, other's had travelled across the oceans prior to him, but nobody had the impact he did.

It was a good thing for baseball to retire Jackie Robinson's number - what he did transcended the game. But there would not have been a game for him to impact if not for the Babe.