It has been 86 years since Babe Ruth launched his 600th career home run, becoming the first player ever to accomplish the feat. The Yankees defeated the St. Louis Browns 11-7 with Ruth bringing home three runs. The historic homer, his 35th of the season, was hit off of George Blaeholder, who lasted just two innings.
A young boy named Tony Gallico retrieved the ball, which had left the park and hit a car parked on the street.
Babe Ruth and little Tony Gallico engaged in a business transaction out at the St. Louis Browns’ park today, much to the satisfaction of each.
The Babe hit the 600th home run of his major league career and was anxious to get the ball, which hit a motor car outside the park.
‘I’d give a $10 bill and a new ball to get that old one back,’ the Sultan of Swat announced.
Tony arrived before long with the old ball, collected the $10 and the new baseball from the Babe and then paid a brief visit to the press box. Tony said he was “plenty happy,” and the Babe’s broader-than-usual smile didn’t indicate disappointment.
Since Ruth was the pioneer of the long ball, newspapers of the day didn’t make a big deal about the hit. It was mentioned in the headline and, with the little snippet above, was about it. We know today just how historic the King of Crash is and how amazing the accomplishment was.
At the time of 600, the all-time leader list was as such:
Babe Ruth – 600
Roger Hornsby – 293
Cy Williams – 251
Lou Gehrig – 221
Hack Wilson – 205
He finished with 714 homers and was the all-time leader until dethroned by Hank Aaron in 1974. Barry Bonds eventually passed Aaron, dropping the Great Bambino to third all time. But his 600th blast was a monster and perfectly embodied the way he played and the way he changed to game we love. Long live the king.
