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Biography - Babe Ruth [VHS]

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A&E's BIOGRAPHY episode on Babe Ruth is a vintage b&w TV documentary entitled "That Ever Livin' Babe." It's hosted by Pat O'Brien, who also reminisces about George Herman Ruth. Host for this edition of BIOGRAPHY is Peter Graves.

Included are rare photos and film clips of young Babe in his Boston Red Sox uniform. We see him participate in a WWI bond drive. The hard-hitting pitcher is converted to full-time outfielder to better utilize his heavy bat, and in his last year with Boston the Babe hits 29 HRs, breaking an all-time record.

Sold to Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert for what is essentially a cash loan to finance a stageshow, Ruth smashes 56 homers in '20 and also hits the first round-tripper in brand new Yankee Stadium (the House that Ruth Built) in the spring of 1923. 1927 is his most productive slugging season, with 60 HRs-- a mark that stands for 34 years.

Ruth's friendship and rivalry with the younger Lou Gehrig is explored. Many of his career highlights (like the called shot in the '32 WS) get mention. Babe's thwarted desire to become a manager and his two NL coaching jobs (Brooklyn and Boston) round out a brilliant baeball career. He's elected in the very first Hall of Fame class, second only to Ty Cobb in overall statistics.

Complaints of headaches in the early '40s leads to diagnosis of inoperable throat cancer. Ruth is never told he's a dying man, but he knew the score. This life story ends at the scene of his greatest triumphs, Yankee Stadium for Babe Ruth Day. Barely able to talk, the prematurely aged and frail Ruth gives an emotional speech about the game he loves. Within weeks, he's dead at age 53.


The BIOGRAPHY episode "Babe Ruth" is available on DVD.

Related BIOGRAPHY program:
JOE DIMAGGIO: THE WAY IT WAS tells of the man who replaced Bambino as Yankee superstar outfielder. "Joltin' Joe" set a record in 1941 that may never be broken, by hitting safely in 56 consecutive games. (VHS only)

Baseball legend Babe Ruth rules in this A&E biography.Babe,we all love and miss you!!