The legacy of George Herman “Babe” Ruth continues to honor his hometown more than a century after his ascent to the international renown of baseball.
Mostly considered one of the most influential sporting figures of all time, the “Sultan of Swat” blessed the Baltimore archbishop with an unexpected recall of the Ruth Baltimore roots and the role that the Catholic Church played in its ascent towards celebrity.
Archbishop William E. Lori in December received a photo of Ruth in his peak during a visit with his New York Yankees teammates at the ST. Mary industrial school in the southwest of Baltimore. Ginny Black by Mount Pleasant, SC, who discovered him among the property of his deceased mother, sent the photo to Archbishop Lori.
“You may already have this image, but otherwise we thought it was important to reach you,” wrote Black.
Alison Foley, archivist at St Mary’s Seminary and University, did research on the photo and discovered that she had been published in the Babe Ruth’s 1959 Book, the 1959 widow, “The Babe and I.”
The photo includes Ruth posing in front of the industrial school of St. Mary with the teammates Benny Bengough, Bob Meusel, Joe Dugan and Mike Gonzales as well as the Brothers Xavierian Paul, Gilbert and Sebastian by St. Mary.
Archbishop Lori said that he would “cherish” the photo.
“When I received the photo of Ginny Black, I immediately felt honored that she wanted to share something with me that she had kept for so many years. Ginny recognized how precious photography would be for the archdiocese.”
Katie Dick, director of external affairs of the birthplace and the Babe Ruth museum, said that Ruth had often returned to the industrial school of St. Mary to show his teammates where he had learned to play. Mike Gibbons, emeritus director and historian at the museum, also said that Ruth often visited the Baltimore school to make philanthropic donations.
Throughout his career, Ruth remembered his roots and supported St. Mary’s Industrial School.
Dick said he had often taken the St. Mary’s group during his national baseball tours. Gibbons said that Ruth had financially supported the school, especially after a fire damaged the installation, and even bought a car for Brother Matthias.
When Ruth attended St. Mary’s, registration exceeded 800 students and at a given time, the school took care of more than 1,200 boys. The Xaverian brothers opened the school in 1866 and he closed in 1950. His land was then used for the Cardinal Gibbons school, which closed in 2010.
The museum’s conservatives examined the photo, which simply has an industrial school of St. Mary “by hand on the back, and said that it was probably an aged reproduction. However, the museum staff said that he had never seen the photo other than in Claire Ruth’s book.
His parents sent Ruth, considered an “incorrigible”, to St. Mary’s at the age of 7. He spent 12 years there and throughout his life credited the Xaverian brothers, who operated the school for orphans and delinquents, for having put it on a better way.
He particularly credited the brother of Xaverian Matthias (Martin Leo Boutlier) for firm advice and teaching him to play baseball.
Ruth was such a good player in adolescence that he drew the attention of the famous director general Jack Dunn des Baltimore Orioles, members of the International League. Ruth signed a contract with Orioles at 19, but the local team sold their rights and its contract to the powerful Red Sox of the American League.
With the Red Sox, Ruth has become one of the best two -lane players (pitch and strike) in baseball, guiding Boston to World Series titles in 1915, 1916 and 1918. The Red Sox short of money sold the Ruth contract to the New York Yankees, where he collapsed in a prodigious power striker and led the team World series.
Archbishop Lori noted that he shared a special bond with Ruth since the archbishop graduated from Mount St. Mary University in Emmitsburg, where legend has the baby discovered by scouts.
He also said that Ruth’s story continues to resonate in the mission of the Church.
“He spent a large part of his youth at St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, who was a Catholic institution in Baltimore led by the Xaverian brothers and they played a key role in his life when he needed it most,” said Archbishop Lori. “Babe Ruth has kept a close link with the brothers, who provided both discipline and mentoring when he became the man, so many people have learned about the baseball diamond. We believe, and he certainly talked about how the fact of being raised Catholic had a lot to do with his training – as a person and a successful and successful professional baseball player.
“We find with our young people that meeting them where they must teach them God is the most effective and very important as they become adults. Babe Ruth had a passion and a great talent for baseball and if we, like those who spread the good news, can link the interests of young people, whether in sport, the arts or academics, to the faith and the words of Jesus, then we offered a great gift to them personally but in the future, in the future of the future of human. “.
Archbishop Lori also stressed the importance of Ruth’s spirit of generosity.
“We know that the story of Babe Ruth is directly linked to the difficulties he had to face, especially in his youth. He carried this with him on his trip and knew his stay in St. Mary’s played a crucial role, because Catholic institutions – parishes, hospitals, schools – played in the lives of people from all walks of life.
“Ruth regularly donated funds and equipment to St. Mary’s and made frequent visits to supervise students and support the school. He also supported hospitals, orphanages and houses for disadvantaged children, making surprise visits and providing them with encouragement and gifts.
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