The First Five, Who Are You Going To Take

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by EddieP

Ruth. You get two players for the price of one. If it weren’t for WWI, Ruth would have been a HOF pitcher. Tris Speaker said, “ Ruth made a grave mistake when he gave up pitching. Working once a week he might have lasted a long time and become a great star."

I would have to pick Ruth. Curious what you mean when you say if it weren't for WWI, Ruth would have been a HoF pitcher. How did WWI cause him to move from pitcher to the outfield full time?

[EddieP]

Originally Posted by jayshum

I would have to pick Ruth. Curious what you mean when you say if it weren't for WWI, Ruth would have been a HoF pitcher. How did WWI cause him to move from pitcher to the outfield full time?

During WWI Ballplayers were drafted in the Arm Services unless they were employed by an essential business for the War effort. Ruth was hired by a Steel Mill which was essential for the war and thus, he was exempted from the draft. However, that was not the case with many of the Red Sox’s other players and the 1918 Red Sox mainly fielded a Minor League Team. Ruth pestered the Front Office to let him play the field on days when he was not pitching. So partly as a way to invigorate the line-up and partly as a stunt to boost attendance, Ruth played first base when he was not pitching. The next year (1919), he was more of a regular player than a pitcher ( partly because of the larger attendance when he played) and in 1920 , he was traded to the Yanks.

[Rhotchkiss]

Ruth

[Seven]

The Sultan of Swat!

It's incredible to look at The Babe's numbers. The man could've realistically hit 900 Home Runs if he played the field his entire career.