“ The fans nearly raised the stadium roof with a tremendous cheer when the Babe was introduced,” the AP reported. Banners for the Yankees’ 15 pennants and 11 World Series titles were draped around the ballpark.
A newsreel shows Ruth walking from the dugout to home plate, surrounded by cameramen and photographers, where he takes a swing in the batter’s box.
Using a bat as a cane, with tears in his eyes, Ruth briefly addressed the 50,000 fans.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I just want to say one thing. I am proud I hit the first home run here against Boston in 1923,” he said, referring to the ballpark’s inaugural home run on Opening Day of that season. “It is marvelous to see these 13 or 14 players who were my teammates going back 25 years. I’m telling you, it makes me proud and happy to be here. Thank you.”
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