The Babe loved a party.
He was known as “the Babe”, “the Sultan of Swat”, “the Colossus of Clout”, “the Great Bambino”, and “the King of Crash,” while becoming one of the most famous American figures of the 20th century.
And if you know of any other nicknames for George Herman Ruth, baseball’s most celebrated figure, you just might want to share them at Tom Derry’s 31st Annual Babe Ruth Birthday Bash to be held once again at Nemo’s Bar in Corktown on Saturday, February 3rd from 7:14 p.m.(get it?) to 2 AM.
The Babe was born 123 years ago on February 6, 1895. Seventy years ago this summer, on August 16, 1948 he died of cancer at 53.
Nemo’s Bar, once ranked the #3 sports bar in America by Sports Illustrated, is located at 1384 Michigan Avenue, just a block east of the Tiger Stadium site.
Nemo’s will be decked out in Babe Ruth photographs, famous quotations, and other memorabilia. In honor of the Babe, the beer will flow and there will be plenty of free hot dogs, peanuts, Cracker Jack, Baby Ruth candy bars, and a birthday cake. (no cover charge)
Two of his most famous home runs were hit at Navin Field at Michigan and Trumbull. On June 8, 1926 he hit what is believed to be the longest home run in major league history, officially measured at 626 feet, and in his final season with the Yankees, Ruth hit his 700th career home run off of Tommy Bridges on July 13, 1934.
Although the Babe is known as the great home run hitter, what he accomplished 100 years ago as a pitcher (one of the best in the game at the time) was what he said he was most proud of.
By 1918 he was used mostly in the outfield so he could play every day although he still pitched too. In Game One of the World Series against the Cubs, (won by the Red Sox) he threw a 1-0 shutout, and then in Game Four, before allowing the Cubs to score he had pitched 29 2⁄3 consecutive scoreless innings, a record for the World Series that stood for more than 40 years until 1961 when it was broken by Whitey Ford.