100 Years Ago: Yankees Agree to Train in St. Pete

A century ago this week, former mayor Al Lang negotiated an agreement to bring the Yankees' training camp to St. Pete in the spring of 1925. From 1925 through 1935, the era's transcendent celebrity Babe Ruth, along with an entourage of reporters, fans and other winter guests, came to town to work and to play. During those years, newspaper reports across the country began with the dateline "St. Petersburg, FLA," elevating St. Pete's profile as a winter destination. 

When the agreement was signed, St. Pete was already in the midst of a construction boom, but with the imminent arrival of the Yankees, there was heightened optimism for the city's future.

Al Lang, the man who worked out the deal to bring the Yankees to St. Pete, just happened to be president of the Jungle Country Club which featured an established, professionally designed golf course. Recognizing the publicity it would bring, Lang hoped that Ruth would play the course regularly. He supervised an extensive renovation of the clubhouse in preparation for Babe's initial spring visit. 

Babe Ruth on the first tee of the Jungle course.

Ruth was passionate about golf. Published photos of his appearances on numerous golf courses were good publicity for the sport. The most popular ballplayer came to be recognized as the most popular golfer in the world. 

Clubhouse circa 1916. A 1914 St. Petersburg Times article said the plan was for the clubhouse to have "bowling alleys, handball courts, card rooms, billiard rooms, a spacious dining room and everything a first-class country club should have for the pleasure of its members. There will also be a yacht, tarpon and anglers club connected with this club" ‒ not to mention access to the club's golf course.

But a more ambitious plan was needed to entice Ruth to frequent the Jungle course. Babe was in the habit of spending several weeks in Hot Springs, Arkansas, before training camp started. He would golf, take hot baths and hike in the mountains to get in shape. Plus there were casinos and a racetrack for entertainment. Lang thought that Babe could spend those weeks in St. Pete instead ‒ the Jungle Country Club offered warmer weather and a variety of activities including deep sea fishing, which Ruth enjoyed. 

March 1925 at the Jungle Country Club: Babe Ruth, club president Al Lang and Yankee manager Miller Huggins. Is Lang pointing to the spot where the Jungle Country Club Hotel would soon be built? Huggins, an avid golfer who later became a regular hotel guest, is intrigued. (photo colorized)

Shortly after the Yankees broke camp that first season, Walter P. Fuller announced plans to build the Jungle Country Club Hotel, just a few steps from the first tee on the course. By the time of Ruth's second spring visit, the recently renovated clubhouse had been razed and the hotel was open, complete with clubhouse facilities on the ground floor. Babe Ruth attended the grand opening on February 10th, 1926, and would spend many winter seasons as a comped guest. His presence made the Jungle course one of the most famous of the era. 

Al Lang had a vision. "If you build it, he will come." 

Golfers and spectators on the first tee, steps from the hotel.
The historic hotel is now Admiral Farragut Academy.

Photo insert to the 1926 brochure "St. Petersburg, City of Enchantment,"
published by the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce.  (colorized)

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The Agreement

The official contract follows: 

This agreement made this seventh day of July A. D. 1924, between American League Baseball Club of New York, a corporation party of the first part and the Chamber of Commerce of the city of St. Petersburg, by A. F. Lang, Chairman of the Baseball Committee, party of the second part.

Witnesseth that the party of the second part agrees to pay to the party of the first part the sum of twelve thousand five hundred ($12,500) dollars, and agrees to provide and furnish a proper and satisfactory training camp in the city of St. Petersburg for the spring training season of the year 1925 for the use of the American League baseball club of New York.

The party of the second part further agrees to arrange and provide reservations at the Hotel Princess Martha in the City of St. Petersburg at the rate of eight ($8) dollars per day per man, American plan two persons in each room from March 1, 1925, throughout the spring training season.

The party of the second part further agrees to have said training camp and proper training quarters ready and in good condition in ample time for the spring training season.

In consideration of the foregoing the party of the first part agrees to train in the City of St. Petersburg for the season of 1925 and further agrees to play eight games of baseball in the city of St. Petersburg during said training season - not more than one game to be played with any national league club excepting the Boston National League baseball team.

It is further understood, stipulated and agreed that the Chamber of Commerce of the city of St. Petersburg shall not participate in the receipts from any exhibition games played outside the city of St. Petersburg.

In witness whereof, the party of the first part has caused its name to be hereunto subscribed by its President and the party of the second part has caused its name to be hereunto subscribed by the said A. F. Lang, chairman of the baseball committee of the said Chamber of Commerce of the City of St. Petersburg.

Signatures:

American League Baseball Club of New York,

E. G. Barrow, secretary

Miller Huggins, manager 

Chamber of Commerce, City of St. Petersburg,

Al F. Lang