I did not want to do it, but you made me. I promised myself that I would not bring up Babe Ruth again this year, but there are just so many misinformed people out there. In the text of this post I will also answer questions/statements that have been posted on other blogs.
Babe Ruth is the greatest ballplayer of all time. Yep there I said it. Now I know you are going to tell me that he did not play against Black players, but you would be wrong. Once Ruth switch to the outfield he went “barnstorming” in the off-season, playing against #### league teams and All-Stars, Cuban ball clubs and other “barnstorming teams” In those games, Ruth was known to put on a show. Overall, he excelled in those games; even Buck O’Neil admitted that Babe Ruth did not play his hardest, while everyone wanted to strike him out. The truth is that Ruth faced some of the best pitchers of all time. Stats show that 4 out of the top 7 pitchers played in the “Ruth Era” according to adjusted E.R.A. One argument has been made that the pitchers of that era only had a few pitches and did not throw hard. The fact is that there is no evidence to back that statement up. If you do a little research the only pitch that I have come across that did not exist in the “Ruth Era” was a slider. Ruth had to content with a pitch that does not exist today, the spitball. Also there are plenty of pitchers that only command 1 or 2 pitches, Mariano throws only a cutter, how effective is he? Oh one more thing, one person has suggested that this era was dominated by knuckleball pitchers. The fact is that knuckleball pitchers have been some of the most effective pitchers throughout baseball history. Some have stated that Ruth was hitting against pitchers who had day jobs at the saw mill. Funny, because in 1910 many minor league players made more then the average worker in the United States, sometimes as much as 30% more. To think that all MLB players had day jobs demonstrates ignorance and the inability to separate history from different sports. There are those that would also argue that Ruth did not face pitching specialist, just pitchers with tired arms. What they fail to realize is that there were also less teams and games. Also, pitchers throw everyday, not just game day, while also throwing in winter leagues. Babe also hit the majority of his homeruns in the early innings, actually the most in the 1st inning. In 1919 Ruth hit more homeruns then 10 MLB teams. In 1920 Ruth hit more Homeruns then 14 out of 15 MLB clubs. In 1927, Ruth hit more homeruns then 7 other American league teams.
Now for some Quotes:
“Sweet. We always hoped he’d miss the ball so we could see the whole swing. Sweet, just sweet” -Buck O’Neil, speaking about Ruth’s Swing.
“Only heard that sound three times. Babe, Josh Gibson, Bo Jackson”
-Buck O’Neil, speaking about the sound of the ball hitting the bat.
“To understand him, you had to understand that he wasn’t human”
-teammate Joe Dugan
Buck O'Neil stated that his most cherished possession was a baseball that Babe Ruth hit for a homerun.
Everywhere you turn there is talk about equality, in the workplace, at school and in sports. People say that they want to be considered as equal, however what they truly mean is that they want to be considered equal until it no longer benefits them. A perfect example would be those with disabilities. Now I know what you are thinking, I am going to attack cripples (your words not mine), but that’s not the case. In the employment world I am not allowed to base my decision on a potential employee based on their physical limitations, unless those disabilities would prevent one from completing tasks that are entailed in a specific job. Meaning I do not have to hire a wheelchair bound applicant for labor intensive landscaping position. However, if they were to work around the office, then I would be discriminating by not hiring a handicapped individual, if I took their disability in consideration in the hiring process. Now here is the problem that I have with that, I am supposed to treat this disabled individual as equal, yet ignore the fact they have specialized parking closer to buildings, make special arrangements/ install more facilities to accommodate them all the while possibly working extra to compensate for their lack of physical ability. Gloria Steinem once made the argument that female firefighters should not be subject to the same testing as male firefighters. Her point of contention was that many females who wanted to be firefighters could not pass the physical exam and carry a 150 lbs dummy up/down three flights of stairs in a specific amount of time. Gloria felt that female firefighters should be tested with a lighter dummy’s then their male counterparts. However, Gloria feels that males and females should be considered as equals, but components of equality can not be interchangeable. With the Imus mess, the same situation exists. I am sure that many people have no idea that the Chappelle show was partially written by Dave’s partner who is white. What if Chappelle was not the host, but a white guy? How long do you think that it would have taken for the show to get canceled? Actually it probably would have not been green lit. Do you think that the next on air personality will be fired for calling someone a hillbilly, #### or backwoods? Of course not and I think I know why, because white people do not give a rat’s #### what they are called. I am from the south and I have heard every derogatory term that can be used to describe someone and it does not bother me. I can laugh at a black joke, a Jewish joke, and a #### joke, which by the way I heard this really funny joke about….well I tell you about it later. Anyway the ability to use certain terms and or tell certain jokes makes you equal. Previously Jesse Jackson has made some comments regarding the guilt of the Duke Lacrosse players and just yesterday after the charges were dropped he stated that he would not apologize for any comments that he made regarding that issue. Where is the outcry for his firing? Hey I believe in equality, but I just feel that if you really want equality, then you have to take all aspects of it, such as having to park in the green section of Mickey 3 and walking your #### a half a mile to Disney, taking comedy for what it’s worth, ignoring comments from idiots, enjoying the tension with your college roommate (Dawan) while you insert ODB’s #### Please album while he (ODB) goes on for about 3 minutes about hating white people. O.k. that last part did not really fit, but was a funny experience.
- Notre Dame should not start the season ranked in the Top 15 next year, much less the top 25.
- Michigan is not #2, or in my opinion, #3, #4 or #5. In fact I am not sure Michigan should be ranked in the Top 10.
- There will never be a playoff system, because it puts larger more established programs at risk.
- I hope that Florida beats Ohio State, because I am so sick and tired about hearing how great the “golden five” are. (Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, USC). Although USC looked pretty damn good!
- How did Troy Smith win the Heisman?
- Since they will never have a playoff system, the NCAA should institute a flex schedule, meaning if you finish the season in the Top25, in the following year you have to schedule at least one out of conference opponent that also finished the previous year in the Top 25.
- I refuse to believe that there is a bias against the SEC. They have a contract with CBS to televise games on Saturday. If anyone has a complaint it has to be teams from the West Coast, which get no love.
- How does Dennis Green keep getting head coaching jobs?
- Maybe Bonds took steroids, maybe he did not, but they have been illegal in baseball since 1990, if you do not believe me, do some research.
- I refuse to believe that a golfer can be athlete of the year. You walk, someone else carries your clubs and you can be considered a “professional” until you die.
- Believe me, the Nintendo Wii is worth every penny.
- Why on earth did the Diamondbacks trade for Randy Johnson, he was washed up when they traded him to the Yankees.
- Why do professional basketball players whine so much?
