4 posts tagged “babe ruth”
While digging through my closet, I found an interesting article written by Peter J. Schwartz in a 2008 issue of Sports Money. In the article, Schwartz looks at historical player salaries in comparison to the overall value of the team. Here were some of the players listed:
1930: Babe Ruth's salary - $80,000
Yankees Team Value: $2.5 million
Ruth made 3.2% of the team's total value.
1949: Joe DiMaggio's salary - $100,000
Yankees Team Value: $5 million
DiMaggio made 2.0% of the team's total value.
1980: Nolan Ryan's salary - $1.125 million
Astros Team Value: $13 million
Ryan made 8.7% of the team's total value.
1991: Roger Clemens' salary - $5.38 million
Red Sox Team Value: $136 million
Clemens made 4.0% of the team's total value.
1997: Albert Belle's salary - $11 million
White Sox Team Value: $149 million
Belle made 7.4% of the team's total value.
1999: Kevin Brown's salary - $15 million
Dodgers Team Value: $270 million
Brown made 5.6% of the team's total value.
2001: Alex Rodriguez's salary - $25.2 million
Rangers Team Value: $342 million
Rodriguez made 7.4% of the team's total value.
2008: Alex Rodriguez's salary - $30.5 million
Yankees Team Value: $1.3 billion
Rodriguez made 2.3% of the team's total value.
December 26, 1919- Babe Ruth: The Steal of the Century
In the Yankees' first 17 seasons, they finished better than fourth four times. In the next 20 seasons, the club won 11 A.L. pennants and 8 World Series.
If you want to argue that the entire course of franchise history wasn't radically altered on December 26, 1919, go ahead. Just don't try to convince Red Sox fans.
The "steal" occurred after the 1919 season, when the Red Sox owner, Harry Frazee, sold Ruth to the Yankees for $100,000. In the ensuing years, Frazee continued selling his players - such as Waite Hoyt, Herb Pennock, and George Pipgras - to the Yankees in order to finance his theatrical productions. Naturally, Boston's talent diminished, and the Yankees surged.
Babe Ruth went on to have one of the
best careers of any baseball player. In his first year as a Yankee, Ruth smashed 54 home runs, even though he didn't hit a home run until May 1st. Ruth catapulted the team out of the American League cellar, serving as an immense source of power and hitting ability. It was, in every sense of the term, the steal of the century.
The Red Sox? Well, they went 86 years before they won another World Series. Of course, they have won two in the past four years. But that's another story.
September 30, 1927- Babe Ruth hits his 60th home run of the year.
In 1921, Ruth hit a then-record 59 home runs, which was more than many American League teams combined. Everyone said that that mark could never be broken.
Then came Murderer's Row in 1927. Fueled by an amazing offense, the Yankees had an outstanding year, and Ruth was able to hit home run after home run. In an article in the New York World, Ruth said that: "If I am to break my 1921 record, I believe I will do it this year. I'm getting a bit older now. I figure I have about five or six years, and then I will have to step aside and retire."
Ruth also said that having Gehrig following him helped his chances of hitting 60.
By the end of August, Ruth had only 43 home runs, so his chances were slim. However, he went on a tear in September, hitting 17 home runs. On September 30th, the penultimate game of the year, Ruth stepped in against Senators lefty Tom Zachary and hit a monstrous home run into the right field seats.
Some people say that Yankee Stadium had never been louder.
That year, the Yankees went on to sweep the Pirates in the World Series, with Ruth belting two more home runs. It was undoubtedly one of the best years in franchise history. Ruth's 60th home run stood as a mark for the achievement of his power and the success of the team in a year that fans still remember today.
About three weeks ago espn.com posted their opinion of the 25 greatest sports seasons of all time. In response, I gave my opinion of the top 10 greatest individual Yankee seasons over at facebook.
It's definitely a great topic to discuss, because there are a bunch of different ways to look at it. Plus, it gives us something different to talk about other than Johan Santana and steroids.
Here was my list:
10) Babe Ruth- 1920
In Ruth's first year as a Yankee, he smashed the previous home run record of 29 by hitting 54, more than several teams combined. He also hit .376 with 137 RBIs, 150 walks, and 158 runs scored. With Ruth's explosive season, he alone marked the end of the dead ball era.
9) Lou Gehrig- 1931
In an unforgettable season, Gehrig hit .341 with 46 home runs and 184 RBIs. The 184 RBIs still stands as a Yankee record today.
8) Lou Gehrig- 1927
Although overshadowed by Ruth's 60 home runs, Gehrig chipped in 47 home runs of his own, while hitting for .373 with 175 RBIs, leading the Yankees to their second-ever World Championship. He also hit 52 doubles and 18 triples.
7) Ron Guidry- 1978
In 1978, Guidry by far had one of the best seasons ever for a pitcher. He compiled a 25-3 record with a 1.74 ERA, including a game in which he struck out 18, which set the record at the time. All season long, Guidry was dominant in his starts. His consistency on the mound allowed for the Yankees' historic comeback late that year, and in the deciding one game playoff against the Red Sox, Guidry pitched on three days rest for the win.
6) Babe Ruth- 1927
Ruth broke his own home run record again by hitting 60 home runs, a record that would stand for 34 years. He also hit .356 and drove in 164 runs. Even though 81 years have passed since this historic season, people still marvel at the numbers.
5) Roger Maris- 1961
While he may have only hit .269, Maris broke the all time home run record held by Babe Ruth. Even through adversity and media conflicts, this season alone is why Maris is still remembered today as one of the top Yankees.
4) Mickey Mantle- 1956
In probably the best year of his career, Mantle won the Triple Crown by hitting .353 with 52 home runs and 130 RBIs. In what was probably the best era of Yankee baseball, Mantle had his best season, putting him on top of the New York world.
3) Alex Rodriguez- 2007
Perhaps no Yankee in our lifetime has had to deal with so much adversity as Alex Rodriguez. Even so, A-Rod managed to bear all this conflict and have one hell of a season. He rewrote the record book in April by hitting 14 home runs with two epic walk-offs against the Orioles and Indians. As the season progressed, he never gave in. He finished with 54 home runs, 156 RBIs, and a .314 average- statistically, it was probably the best ever for a Yankee right-hander.
2) Babe Ruth- 1921
In his second season as a Yankee, Ruth took over the game. He hit .378 with 59 home runs and 171 RBIs in a season where the Yankees won their first of 39 pennants. With 44 doubles and 16 triples, Ruth hit for a combined 457 total bases, a mark that still stands today. Oh, and he also stole 17 bases.
1) Joe DiMaggio- 1941
It would be tough to have any type of top-10 Yankee list without the Yankee Clipper, and I'm pretty sure I've saved the best for last. His numbers don't exactly jump out at you (.357 average, 30 home runs, 125 RBIs), but this was a season where DiMaggio set a record that no one has come close to in 67 years. By hitting in 56 straight games, DiMaggio set the ultimate mark of consistency. The next highest on the list? Wee Willie Keeler with 45. Thousands have tried, but even after all these years, DiMaggio ranks at the top in one of the most treasured baseball records.
