Awakenings: Sultan of Swat, aka King of Swing

Today's History Lesson & Celebration

On April 27, 1947, the Yankees hosted Babe Ruth Day at Yankee Stadium. The event was held to honor the ailing baseball star, who was nearing the end of his life because of a malignant tumor. Babe Ruth, the legendary “Sultan of Swat,” "King of Swing," died a year later at age 53.

April 27 is...

http://www.slideshare.net/MrG/harry-houdini-presentation

http://www.onthisday.com/date/1947/april/27

History connects our past events to the present and sets the precedence for the future. As with any historical account, emotions control the day as we recall, remember and reflect upon both happy and sorrowful times. It is through history that all is not lost...the memories remain.

This Day in History: April 27, 1947

Babe Ruth was bigger than life when it came to America. On this day in 1947, more than 58,000 fans gathered in Yankee Stadium, New York, to honor one of the greatest players in baseball history.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/07/babe-ruth-back-in-the-day/

Youngsters lend an ear to Babe Ruth as he tells them stories of his life from orphanage to baseball fame, Nov. 29, 1924. (AP Photo) Click HERE...

Born February 6, 1895 in Baltimore, Maryland Ruth's birth parents, George Sr. and Kate, named him George Herman Ruth, Jr. During his baseball career, he would acquire different nicknames, such as "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat," "The King of Swing," but the one which would endure the sands of time was "Babe."

Click HERE!

You might be wondering why a man of such strong statue would acquire a nickname such as Babe. Having been discovered at the age of 19 by Jack Dunn, owner and manager of the then minor-league Baltimore Orioles, the other Oriole players dubbed Ruth "Jack Dunn's baby" thus prompting the nickname Babe, which would follow him the rest of his life.

The Roaring Twenties did more than roar as jazz music blossomed and the flapper monopolized the scene. The sports highlight of this gin-soaked, jazz-syncopated, frivolous time era was baseball and at the top of the list was Babe Ruth's career with the New York Yankees.

Many athletes have left their mark in baseball history but few as indelible as Babe Ruth. He will long be remembered and revered not only as a baseball champion but also a champion of hearts. His athletic prowess and fun-loving personality dominated the Jazz Age.