Babe Ruth Bows Out

Ruth was photographed with his back turned to the camera; he was sick with throat cancer at the time and was leaning on a baseball bat for support.

[1] According to economist Michael Haupert, Ruth created public enthusiasm and he generated US$137,975.52 (equivalent to $3,142,547 in 2023) for the team in his first year as a Yankee.

[4] He signed a three-year contract to continue playing for the Red Sox in March 1919, but after the season he was unhappy with his US$10,000 (equivalent to $175,739 in 2023) salary.

Red Sox owner Harry Frazee needed money so on January 6, 1919, he sold Ruth to the Yankees for US$100,000 (equivalent to $1,757,390 in 2023).

Fein moved away from the other photographers and positioned himself behind Ruth to capture the back of his number three jersey, which the team was retiring.

Tribune sports editor Arthur Glass selected the image from the photos that Fein took that day.

[7] Ruth did not appear to be healthy at the event; he emerged from the dugout using his baseball bat as a cane and he stood on the field near home plate.

[6] In 1985 the Columbia Record newspaper reported that the image was mounted beside Ruth's uniform in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

[3] In the two days that the Yankees hosted Babe Ruth's funeral it is estimated that 100,000 people attended to file past the open casket.