On this date a century ago, Babe Ruth officially joined the New York Yankees. While the principles of the deal were completed 11 days prior, the sale of Ruth from the Boston Red Sox to the Yankees was officially consummated on Jan. 5, 1920.
The legend goes, Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold Ruth to finance his play, “No, No Nanette.” Paid in installments, the sum total sale of Ruth came out to $100,000 or about $1.6 million in today’s dollars.
What ensued was the “Curse of the Bambino,” which lasted 86-years.
An All-Star pitcher most of his tenure in Boston, Ruth produced prestigious power with New York.
Although “The House That Ruth Built,” wouldn’t rise up until 1923, the Polo Grounds was a house built for Ruth. Ruth took full advantage of the 256-foot distance to right and smoked 54 bombs that season.
For his Yankee career, Ruth posted a slash line of .349/.484/.711 and a 1.195 OPS with the Yankees. Plus, Ruth earned the 1923 MVP.
1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ years ago today, Babe Ruth was sold to the Yankees, changing the game of baseball in America forever. pic.twitter.com/MwmTy7xvIl
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) January 5, 2020
Amassing nicknames like Babe, The Bambino, The Sultan Of Swat, Jidge, The Colossus of Clout or The King of Crash, Ruth changed the game on a grand scale. His No. 3 is retired in Monument Park and he was enshrined into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 1939.
