100th Anniversary of Babe’s First Professional Home Run
It’s been pretty busy as of late and we almost let a key 100th anniversary Babe Ruth milestone pass by without acknowledgement!
On September 5, 1914, at Toronto’s Hanlan’s Point Stadium, rookie Babe Ruth with the Providence Grays minor-league baseball team, connected with a pitch from Ellis Johnson of the Toronto Maple Leafs and knocked a 3-run homer out of the park. It was the first home run ever hit in the pros by Babe Ruth, and the only one he hit in the minor leagues. It’s also interesting to note that in the same game, Ruth also pitched a complete-game, one-hitter to lead the Grays to a 9-0 win over the Maple Leafs.
Back in 2006, Heritage Toronto recognized Babe’s special tie to the city with a plaque commemorating the event at Hanlan’s Point just north of the ferry docks. Tom Stevens, Babe’s grandson, was also on hand for that event.
Hanlan Point Babe Ruth Plaque
Tom Stevens at Hanlan Point
In recognition of the Toronto Babe Ruth milestone, the local SABR group took the opportunity to try and invigorate their chapter (we hope it went well!) and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame is selling a limited edition Babe Ruth print to help with the development of their children’s programs, as well as the establishment of their new Hall of Fame.
