It was March 31st 1922 and the New York Yankees with the Brooklyn Dodgers were in San Antonio for an exhibition baseball game.
Photo: ebay.com
Photo: ebay.com
The game was to be played at League Park…formerly known as Block Stadium. It was located on the south side of the city, at the corner of South Presa, Carolina and Labor Streets.
Babe Ruth and the team arrived in San Antonio at 7am that day aboard the Southern Pacific train from Houston. He and other Yankees were then driven to the St Anthony Hotel for breakfast and a short rest.
Babe Ruth had hoped to have a quick round of golf at Brackenridge Park after his arrival, but an injured foot put an end to that desire.
There were also plans for him to make an appearance at the Frank Brothers store, and at Joske’s to meet with fans.
Photo: San Antonio Light
However, Babe took time to rest because of his injured foot, and sadly, the meet & greets had to be canceled.
Photo: San Antonio Light
The Sultan of Swat however was a guest at a rooftop luncheon at the St Anthony Hotel, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.
Photo: St Anthony Hotel rooftop…..Author
Then at 3pm, the teams set off for League Park for practice before the 4pm game.
Photo: New York Yankees…League Park, San Antonio 1922……Goldbeck Studios
Photo: Brooklyn Dodgers…League Park, San Antonio 1922…..Amon Carter Museum
As he stepped up to the plate for the first time, Babe Ruth was presented with a silver bat and ball by the Knights of Columbus.
Photo: bridgemanimages.com
In front of 6,000 fans, the Yankees were victorious, winning 12-8, and a highlight of the game was Babe Ruth cracking a home run, sending it over the right field fence onto South Presa Street. It will be remembered as one of the longest drives ever hit at League Park.
Photo: Baseball Hall of Fame
Babe Ruth left the game in the 7th Inning. He then donned civilian clothes, and went to sit on a bench in the outfield to watch the rest of the game. Immediately he was surrounded by over 200 fans, and the Big Bambino delighted the kids by throwing some coins into the crowd around him sending them scurrying for a souvenir.
Additional stories:
While he was in San Antonio, Babe Ruth made a guest appearance with local actress Blanche McGarity in her film “Little Miss Bluebonnet”
Photo: Babe Ruth with Blanche McGarity……Barnabys
Leading up to the big game, the San Antonio Light newspaper held a competition to win a signed Babe Ruth bat. Interesting that in the story below, the bat apparently would be won by a boy.
Photo: San Antonio Light
…..and the winner was
Photo: San Antonio Light
Memories of San Antonio wonders whatever happened to that bat won by Max Flaxman ??
Sources:
mysanantonio.com….Paula Allen
San Antonio Light
“San Antonio at Bat” David King
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Memories of San Antonio 