Time catches up with everyone eventually, even the legends. On this day in 1935, Babe Ruth learned that first hand when he was released by the New York Yankees.
There was no questioning the impact that Babe Ruth had on baseball and the New York Yankees. Almost from the moment that he was acquired by the Yankees, he turned the team into an instant contender. Paired with Lou Gehrig, and a key part of the infamous Murderer’s Row 1927 club, the Yankees entered their first Golden Age, developing their first dynasty.
However, all things end eventually. That included Ruth’s time with the Yankees, where, despite his legendary stature, he was starting to show his age. While his 1934 campaign was still relatively solid, with a .288/.448/.537 batting line with 22 home runs, he was not close to the same player he had been. And so, on this day in 1935, Ruth was released by the Yankees.
This was actually part of an agreement between the Yankees and the Boston Braves. Ruth had interest in being a manager, and during the 1934 season, had been actively campaigning to take over the reins of the Yankees. However, while the Yankees were not interested in such an arrangement, the Braves had some plans for the outfielder.
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Braves owner Emil Fuchs wanted Ruth to bring fans to the park. In order to get Ruth to agree to come to Boston, he made Ruth the team Vice President, and said that he would be consulted on all transactions. Fuchs also promised Ruth a share of the profits, and made him the assistant manager to Bill McKechnie. The possibility was also raised that not only could Ruth become the next manager of the team, and potentially as soon as 1936, but that he could even own the Braves eventually.
Alas, this arrangement, as great as it sounded, did not happen as planned. Ruth learned quickly that Fuchs had no intention of giving him any actual authority, or to name him manager. In fact, Fuchs tried to get Ruth to invest his money in the team, instead of paying him a portion of the profits. Ruth would end up retiring almost four months later, playing his last game on Memorial Day.
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Babe Ruth was a true legend of the game, and one of the greatest Yankees of all time. However, all things must end, as did his tenure in New York.