Is this Babe Ruth rounding the plate?

[brickyardkennedy]

It's conceivable that might be Gehrig. Early on in his career, he batted sixth. Going by the theory that the on deck batter is signaling a base runner, nless Ruth was batting fifth, that could be Lou.

"Batting sixth, behind Ruth and Bob Meusel, Gehrig went 3-for-5 with a double in his first game at first base that season"

From:

http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/ccdffd4c

MANY paragraphs, down.

[mikemcgrail]

Babe all the way ... I'd guess Gehrig on the other player

Now I REALLY need to start asking my Portuguese friends over here some questions about small pieces of cardboard!

Mike McGrail

[DaveW]

OK, probably Lazzeri, but are there any ideas on who the catcher might be?

[nolemmings]

Color me different, but I don't think it looks remotely like Lou Gehrig--too small. I thought exactly like Scott--Meusel knocked in Ruth. It looked to me as if Meusel is trying to stretch his hit into a double, and the question is whether Gehrig was on base heading to third or had he already made an out. The guy in the batter's box looked like Poosh 'em up to me right away, at least much more than Meusel, although I suppose it's conceivable it is Joe Dugan.

I thought this card set and the Tabacalera La Morena one like it were issued in 1928 or 1929. If so this was during the Murderer's Row years and the pic likely would have them from a game where they batted in their famed order of Ruth, Gehrig, Meusel and Lazzeri.

[packs]

I don't think that's Gehrig. Even if he just picked up the bat that was in the batters box and isn't the batter, he's holding the bat in his left hand. If it were a left handed batter, they'd most likely be holding the bat in their right hand. A right handed batter would hold the bat with his left hand like that.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by packs

I don't think that's Gehrig. Even if he just picked up the bat that was in the batters box and isn't the batter, he's holding the bat in his left hand. If it were a left handed batter, they'd most likely be holding the bat in their right hand. A right handed batter would hold the bat with his left hand like that.

I am left handed and I would be holding the bat the way that guy is right now in the photo. I don't know who it is and wasn't getting the card for him, obviously. I do appreciate the discussion and feedback. It keeps things interesting anyway.

[packs]

Everyone's different. As a right handed hitter my left hand is my lead hand, so if I were to hold a bat with one hand, it would be my left. Same as when I pick up a golf club. I feel like it would be weird holding the bat in my right hand. I mean, you swing with your left arm as a righty. The bat feels most comfortable there.

[HercDriver]

I'm definitely among the "not Gehrig" crowd. I don't think it looks even remotely like him. Maybe Flavius was at the game as a kid...he still might have the scorecard.

Take Care,
Geno

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by packs

Everyone's different. As a right handed hitter my left hand is my lead hand, so if I were to hold a bat with one hand, it would be my left. Same as when I pick up a golf club. I feel like it would be weird holding the bat in my right hand. I mean, you swing with your left arm as a righty. The bat feels most comfortable there.

I'm 100% left handed, but batted both for a period.. I had to think about it for a bit, but if I were to hold the bat one handed, I would always use the lead hand.. left when batting righty, right when batting lefty (even though I'm left hand dominant).

To Add: if those play by plays are for real, that's pretty impressive!

[Jlighter]

I wonder who voted it isn't Babe Ruth. Perhaps they want to voice their opinion?

[ullmandds]

they must have thought it was kirby puckett...or tony gwynn...or john kruk?

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by Paul S

If that was Gehrig on deck there'a a good chance he might "signal" with his left hand.

Not necessarily. The correct hand to signal with would be the right hand (or just both), because it's more visible to the runner. It's conceivable that the on deck batter would be aware of this.

Originally Posted by brickyardkennedy

It's conceivable that might be Gehrig. Early on in his career, he batted sixth. Going by the theory that the on deck batter is signaling a base runner, nless Ruth was batting fifth, that could be Lou.

"Batting sixth, behind Ruth and Bob Meusel, Gehrig went 3-for-5 with a double in his first game at first base that season"

From:

http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/ccdffd4c

MANY paragraphs, down.

Well, then I guess it is a possibility. Heck, it's even a possibility that the guy is actually the first or second hitter who already scored. My money's still on Lazzeri, though.

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by Brendan

Not necessarily. The correct hand to signal with would be the right hand (or just both), because it's more visible to the runner. It's conceivable that the on deck batter would be aware of this..

That also came to mind, as I am a southpaw but do many things with the other having grown up in a righty world. In spelling, the analogy would be " i before e except after c but not always".