New York Yankees History: Babe Ruth Delivers on Promised Homer
By David Hill
One of the greatest stories in the career of New York Yankees slugger Babe Ruth‘s career happened on this day in 1926. Facing the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series, the Great Bambino delivered on his promised home run – three times.
There are a number of stories about New York Yankees slugger Babe Ruth that reached mythical proportions. There was his “Called Shot” against the Cubs, and his infamous love for the nightlife, that led Jimmie Reese to say he roomed with Ruth’s suitcase. However, none of the legends surrounding Ruth were greater than what happened on this day in 1926.
Earlier that year, a youngster named Johnny Sylvester had been thrown from the horse he was riding. The horse then kicked him in the head, and his condition worsened over the ensuing weeks. Suffering from a variety of ailments, Sylvester’s relatives and doctors began to despair for his life.
At that time, someone sent urgent telegrams to Ruth to let him know of the boy’s condition. Moved by the accounts, Ruth sent a pair of baseballs, one autographed by the Yankees and the other signed by the Cardinals. On the Yankees ball, Ruth promised to “knock a homer” for Johnny in Game Four.
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Ruth did not hit one home run that day. Instead, he hit three. His first homer came in the first inning, and went over the right field roof in Sportsman’s Park. Ruth’s second blast was even more impressive, clearing the right center roof and shattering a window across the street. The third homer, measured at 530 feet, sailed beyond the center field bleachers, a place that had never been reached before. Not content with his power hitting, Ruth also threw out a runner at home with what was considered the greatest throw in baseball history.
The Yankees ended up losing the series, but that was secondary to Sylvester’s health. He got better almost immediately after the performance, and was visited by Ruth after the series. Short of the Yankees losing the series, it was a storybook ending.
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Babe Ruth only increased his legendary status on this day in 1926, as the New York Yankees slugger made good on his promise to Johnny Sylvester, belting a homer for him.