Babe Ruth’s Swan Song
The Ruth era had to end. The 1934 statistics, .288, 22 HRs was evidence that it was time. Although his mere presence would draw fans to the stadium, Yankee owner Jacob Rupert had tired of Babe’s constant harping on wanting to take the place of Joe McCarthy as the Yanks manager. He did offer Ruth the managing position of the Yankee’s minor league Newark team, but Ruth had no desire to manage a minor league team. So, Rupert let him go to search for a management job elsewhere. There were no serious suitors and Babe ended up accepting a playing position with the lowly Boston Braves with the understanding that he would be first in line for the managing role when it became available. It was a disastrous decision for both sides. In late May he was hitting .181 and made the decision to retire at the end of a six game road trip. He finished as only the Babe would. He let loose on the Pirates with three home runs and 6 RBIs in the first game. His wife urged hm to retire after that game, but Ruth was adamant on fulfilling his commitment. He went hitless in the final five games and officially retired on May 29.