Babe Ruth is fondly remembered for his powerful exploits with the New York Yankees, but his career ended with the Boston Braves. On this day in 1935, with his career winding down, Ruth provided a reminder of the player he once was, hitting the final three home runs of his career in one game.
It has been over eighty years since Babe Ruth played the final game of his career. To this day, amazing feats of power on the diamond are considered Ruthian, and he still looms as a larger than life figure in the history of the game. One of biggest names in the history of baseball, and a member of the first ever Hall of Fame class, Ruth was a true great of the game.
Yet, while we may fondly recall his exploits with the Yankees, and his ill fated trade from the Red Sox, Ruth ended his career back in Boston with the Braves. Following a solid 1934 season at age 39, Ruth was released by the Yankees on February 26, 1935 to allow him to go to the Boston Braves, where he would be consulted on player transactions and become the team’s Vice President, in addition to playing. Ruth, who also desired to be a manager, would potentially have a chance to take on the role with the team.
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Unfortunately for Ruth, he quickly learned that his position was ceremonial at best, and that Braves owner Emil Fuchs had lied to him to entice him to accept coming to Boston. He desired to retire, but Fuchs talked him into remaining with the team through Memorial Day weekend, even though Ruth realized he was done as a player, even in a part time role.
While Ruth was a shadow of his former self, he still had one last moment left in him. On this day in 1935, Ruth victimized the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff, hitting the final three home runs of his career. He homered in the first off of Red Lucas, and homered in the third and seventh innings off of Guy Bush, with his last home run becoming the first home run to clear the right field roof at Forbes Field.
Alas, that was not the final game that he would play. Ruth appeared in five more games, getting two hits and striking out five times in 13 plate appearances. While Fuchs obviously wanted to have Ruth as a gate attraction on Memorial Day, he had the perfect moment to walk away.
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Babe Ruth did not have too many great moments during his time with the Braves, but on this day in 1935, he served up a reminder of the player he had been.