The city celebrated Babe Ruth Day on Saturday, February 8, marking the centennial of Babe Ruth's 1925 arrival in St. Petersburg with the New York Yankees.
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A Google search of "Babe Ruth's Impact on St. Petersburg, FL" generates this information:
AI Overview
Babe Ruth had a huge impact on St. Petersburg, Florida, bringing fame and tourism to the city.
Tourism
Ruth's visits to St. Petersburg for spring training were covered in newspapers around the world.
Ruth's presence in St. Petersburg helped attract tourists and seasonal residents.
Ruth's visits to St. Petersburg were so popular that the city's population is estimated to have tripled at times.
Community involvement
Ruth was a supporter of many nonprofit groups in St. Petersburg, including the American Legion, Elks Club, and the Crippled Children's Hospital (now Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital).
Ruth visited the Kids and Kubs, a softball team for players 74 and older, in the early 1930s.
Ruth was made an honorary member of the Kids and Kubs.
Statue
To mark the 100th anniversary of Ruth's first visit to St. Petersburg for spring training, a statue of Ruth was unveiled at North Shore Park in St. Petersburg. The statue was created by artist Blake Emory.
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Babe Ruth Centennial Weekend
February 6-8, 2025, St. Petersburg, FL
Sponsors:
Azalea Neighborhood Association
The Committee to Commemorate Babe Ruth
Emory Arts
Discover Florida Tours
Florida History Council
Transportation courtesy of Delta Airlines
Lodging for the Stevens Party Provided by the Vinoy Resort
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February 8th Babe Ruth Day Parade
Tom Stevens, Babe Ruth's grandson, served as grand marshal for a parade of golf carts, classic cars, and vintage motorcycles through west St. Pete's Jungle neighborhoods on February 8th, Babe Ruth Day in St. Petersburg. In the pre-parade ceremonies, Ellia Johnson, 12, moved the crowd with her beautiful voice as she sang "The Star-Spangled Banner".
Eight members of the Ruth family traveled in classic cars including Ford Model T cars from 1915 and 1925. Special thanks to Mike Culotta and the Pin-MAR Antique Car Club for providing these magnificent vehicles. Babe Ruth impersonator Mike Norton rode in the back of a vintage 1941 pickup truck and tossed plastic bats and handed commemorative Babe Ruth signed baseballs to spectators. The parade began on the banks of Jungle Country Club Creek and traveled the paths of the former Jungle golf course where Babe Ruth played hundreds of rounds of golf during his spring visits. The new statue by Azalea artist Blake Emory, “Babe Ruth Calls His Shot,” was placed on the parade route for spectators and participants to admire.
As the parade group passed through the Jungle Prada neighborhood, more than fifty peacocks were spotted - on the ground, in the trees and on rooftops.
The motorcade then crossed Park Street, passing in front of the Jungle Prada building, built in 1924, the former site of the Gangplank speakeasy, a spot that Babe Ruth was known to frequent.
As the sun set over Boca Ciega Bay, the parade concluded and a party was held at the Sacred Lands waterfront stage with music by Liz Pennock and Dr. Blues. Their songs included “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” “Happy Birthday, Babe Ruth” and “The Birthday Boogie.” Refreshments were served including some of Babe’s favorites - hot dogs with mustard and sauerkraut, beer, Coke, ginger ale, cracker jack and Baby Ruth bars.
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February 6th City Council Proclamation is Read
Councilman Copley Gerdes, Tom Stevens (Babe Ruth's grandson) with his grandchildren, historian Will Michaels.
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Video from City Hall meeting on February 6. Click on the image to view the video.
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February 8th Babe Ruth Day Parade
Parade: Babe Ruth impersonator (Mike Norton) rode in the back of a vintage pickup and handed out plastic bats and commemorative baseballs with Babe Ruth's signature.
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Parade: Model T with Tom Stevens, grand marshal and members of the Ruth family
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"Babe Ruth Calls His Shot" arrived on Farragut Drive around 3 pm after an unveiling in the morning at Northshore Field.
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February 8th Babe Ruth Day at the Kids and Kubs Game
Steve Elftmann, president of the Azalea Neighborhood Association at Northshore Field in the morning.
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Artist Blake Emory with Steve of the Jungle
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Blake Emory and his family with Tom Stevens
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Left to right: Historian Will Michaels, Babe Ruth impersonator Mike Norton, Blake's family, Blake Emory, Tom Stevens, Mayor Ken Welch (back turned)
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Bobby Petrocelli, Blake
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Reporter from WNBC in New York interviewing Tom Stevens
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February 7th - Al Lang Stadium Parking Lot
Marking the location of home plate at Waterfront Park, where Babe Ruth launched a home run of over 600 feet.
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Tim Reid of the Committee to Commemorate Babe Ruth on the right of the picture
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Easel sign:
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February 8th Babe Ruth Day Parade
Azalea parade line up area:
Neighborhood presidents; John Hoke (Jungle Terrace), Steve Elftmann (Azalea), Amy Possidente (Holiday Park), Aron Bryce (Crossroads)
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Scenes from the Azalea block party
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Video captures of parade
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February 8th Parade After Party
at Sacred Lands in Jungle Prada
