This Ruth Failure Cost NY An SM

Babe Ruth is, and always will be, one of the most legendary people in baseball. However, what little is said is that “El Bambino”, with his legs and not with his bat, was perhaps responsible for one of the most painful defeats in the history of the Bronx Bombers, when he was caught stealing the second pad in the 1926 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

It was the seventh game of the “Autumn Classic”, the one that everyone expects where they say that men separate from children. But let’s understand this situation of attempted robbery:

The first game had been won by the Bronx 2-1, with an almost impeccable work by Herb Pennock, pitching a complete game. In Game 2, Grover Cleveland “Pete” Alexander, the St. Louis star, handcuffed the New York bats, leaving them in two runs, one dirty, and striking out 10 opponents in nine innings pitched.

The Cardinals took advantage of the series in game three, when they beat their rivals in New York by a final score of 4-0. The star of the game was undoubtedly pitcher Jesse Haines, throwing the shutout and hitting a home run.

When concern was already taking hold of the Yankees fans, once again and as he did on multiple occasions, Babe Ruth was the right man to get the Yankees out of the bad time, connecting not one, but three full-return hits, to Give victory to your beloved team 10-5.

These three homers were among the most famous in the history of baseball, as Ruth had received days before a telegram from the parents of a very ill boy named Johnny Sylvester and Babe, he responded by signing two balls to the little one and in one of They wrote, “I’ll hit a home run for you.” Not only was the boy miraculously healed, but the anecdote became very popular and has been told in several movies.

The fifth game, always one of the most important. Again Herb Pennock was huge from the mound of sighs, getting the victory for the Bombers and giving him the important advantage in the series.

Of one thing we are clear, this series was historic for pitcher Alexander, who in addition to the excellent start in game two, caught the ball in game six and beat the Yankees 10-2 again, again thrown a complete game. where the only hitter who got it right was fourth batter Bob Meusel (this detail will be important in the outcome of this story).

If this were not enough and with the World Series tied at six, Grover Cleveland Alexander, decided to go out to celebrate his performance, having drinks that night, but letting his manager know that he would be available to come in relief in game seven despite the Hangover.

“Pete” Alexander, was known for his fondness with alcohol, also unfortunately for suffering from epilepsy due to having been in an artillery explosion, when he served in the Armed Forces during the First World War.

Game seven came and 38,093 people gathered at Yankee Stadium to watch this incredible clash between the Cardinals and Yankees. Jesse Haines, who had already been a hero in game three, was the pitcher who started the game.

In the third inning and with the score level at zero, Babe Ruth walked the queen of the 108 seams, giving his Bombers a 1-0 lead, but a costly error by Yankee shortstop Mark Koening was followed two batters later by another costlier from left fielder Bob Meusel, tying the shares for St. Louis and followed by a two-plus RBI hit, off the shortstop and eighth hitter Tommy Thevenow, making the game 3-1.

The Yankees closed in on a run, after Hank Severeid hit an RBI double in the sixth inning and a new Yankee threat appeared in the seventh inning, when Earl Combs led off with a single, then Mark Koening touched the ball to put him at second. and for the third time in the game, the Cardinals passed Ruth, to face Meusel, who with a grounder to third forced “Bambino” to second. Gehrig was also intentionally walked to load the bases, with Cleveland Alexander taking over as relief, who struck out star Tony Lazzeri with four pitches.

But hey, let’s go to the drama:

Bottom of the ninth, thrown Alexander, the first two hitters Earl Combs and Mark Koening were retired in grounded into the box, arriving the turn of the “Sultan of the Swing”, but of course, nothing to do, Ruth fought a good turn, finally negotiated a passport, giving way to Bob Meusel, who despite being blank in this game, had already raised his face for the Yankees the day before.

When everyone was standing, thousands held their breath and hundreds prayed for a Meusel hit, at the same first pitch, the “Babe” shot to second base and there came the shot of the catcher Bob O’Farrell, so that the star second baseman Roger Hornsby will touch the “Bambino” and referee Bill Dineen will declare the out, and in this way, the St. Louis Cardinals will score the triumph of the World Series.

They say that even the best hunter loses a hare and this was the case. Ruth was not fast, much less a base stealer and at the plate was the team’s fourth batter, but “El Bambino” thought that both Alexander, O’Farrell and Hornsby were focused on the batter, but it was not the case and This way, one of the greatest idols in baseball history, made this mistake, which could have cost one more title to the 27 that the Yankees already have.

However, I think we are all clear that the seven rings that the Bombers won with Ruth in their ranks made this decision of the “Bambino” not something that no one remembers him in his internship in New York.