After all my thirty years at the museum, I am still slightly
amazed how the Babe Ruth ‘brand’ continues
to hold its top-rung spot in the sports heritage universe, as well as the world
of sports collectables. Just the other day a rare photo of the bat-wielding
slugger in his Red Sox uniform made the internet rounds, setting off all kinds
of excitement. Last month, Ruth’s road Yankee’s uniform went for a record $4.4
million. Sports fans and collectors just don’t seem to be able to get enough of
Baltimore ’s
Bambino. I just wish there was a turn-back-the-clock machine so I could witness
the Ruthian whirlwind in up- close-and-personal living color!
Every year the Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation hosts a gala
fundraiser to support our mission of preserving local sports heritage, and this
year’s edition promises to be something special. On September 5, at the
Baltimore Hilton at Camden Yards, we will salute Cal Ripken and Eddie Murray,
two of the most iconic and beloved Orioles of all time. “An Evening with Cal and Eddie” promises a unique, first-hand
opportunity for fans to enjoy the candor of a fireside chat between these Hall
of Fame baseball brothers. WBAL’s Keith Mills will moderate the program, with
several VIP guests set to pop in.
Tickets went on sale this week, and you can get yours by calling the
museum at 410-727-1539. Reserve your spot today for what promises to be an once-in-a-lifetime
experience.
I hope many of you can stop by the museum’s booth at the
upcoming National Sports Collectors
Convention in Baltimore
August 1-5. We will be featuring some rare Ruth and Baltimore sports artifacts
that should make your visit well worth the effort. Thanks to Ray Schulte for
his kind assist with this project.
Back in January I prognosticated that 2012 just might be the
“Year of Our Birds.” And while the
boys of Buck Schowalter may not be pennant bound, they certainly have provided Baltimore fans with a
satisfying first half of a season. As I wrote six months ago, it is always all
about pitching, pitching, pitching, so if the team can somehow straighten out
the starting rotation, we might still be root-root-rooting come September. The
team’s winning start, by the way, has jumped average attendance by about 4,500
per game, the third highest climb in the majors this year. Here’s hoping the
show goes on!
