On This Day - February 26, 1935 - Babe Ruth is Released by the Yankees and Signs With the Boston Braves

There were 16 major league teams at the time, but luckily for St. Petersburg's baseball fans, Babe Ruth signed with the other major league team that held spring training in St. Petersburg.

1935 Goudey Gum Company Card

On March 4, Ruth, now a Boston Brave, was mobbed by 3000 fans upon arrival at the St. Petersburg Seacoast Air Line railroad station. (By the way, that Orange Blossom Special train passed through the Jungle on its way to the station.) According to a St. Petersburg Times article, Ruth was pleased with the turnout and said "it sure makes a fellow feel good to know that so many people are interested in him." After addressing the crowd, Babe, Mrs. Ruth, and official greeter Al Lang were escorted by police to Billy DeBeck's waiting car for a ride to DeBeck's house. Ruth planned to play golf every day to get his legs in condition for the upcoming season.

The article does not mention which courses Ruth would be playing, but it's likely he played on the Jungle golf course of which Al Lang was the president. An article on March 1 by national columnist Pat Robinson suggested Ruth was planning to play the Jungle course. Robinson said that Ruth was shopping for his upcoming trip to St. Petersburg and he bought some new golf socks to scare the snakes at the Jungle club.

Ruth in front of car facing the camera.
Photo credit: St. Petersburg Times, March 5, 1935

Babe Ruth began his career with the other Boston team, the Red Sox, and Boston fans were excited about his return – but Ruth retired mid-season after playing in only 28 games with a .181 batting average and 6 home runs. His final home run – number 714 – would be as a member of the Braves. The Braves moved to Milwaukee in 1953 and to Atlanta in 1966. Ruth's career home run record was broken in 1974 by another Brave – Hank Aaron.

March 6, 1935 - Charlie Dressen, Babe Ruth, Bill McKechnie.
credit: MLB.com (colorized)