Local News

Remember when?

IRON MOUNTAIN -- A century ago today, on Oct. 28, 1926, baseball legend George Herman "Babe" Ruth brought his famous swing to Iron Mountain for an exhibition game at Athletic Park on the west side, drawing more than 3,000 fans.

This week's "Remember When?" feature -- provided by the Menominee Range Historical Museum of Iron Mountain -- looks back at that memorable visit 100 years ago by the New York Yankees slugger known as the "Sultan of Swat."

Ruth arrived in Iron Mountain just weeks after the Yankees lost the 1926 World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals. During the series, he made headlines by hitting three home runs in Game 4, helping New York win 10-5 despite the team ultimately losing the championship four games to three.

On Oct. 20, Ruth was signed to appear in Iron Mountain. The next day, The Iron Mountain News called the exhibition "the greatest baseball attraction ever to be staged in the Upper Peninsula."

Local promoters George Ziegelbauer and Ned Fox arranged the appearance, taking what the newspaper described as "a lot of nerve and faith in Upper Peninsula fans."

"The gamble was on the weather and fortunately, they won," the newspaper reported.

Under the agreement, Ruth would play with one of two Upper Peninsula all-star teams, one made up of Dickinson County players and the other of players from outside the county. Because of the "heavy expenses" involved in bringing the baseball star to town, participating players were asked to volunteer their services in exchange for the opportunity to play alongside or against Ruth.

Excitement grew as game day approached. Barber shops closed, and schools planned early dismissals or half-holidays so students could attend. Employees who wanted to see the exhibition were permitted to leave work during the game, although there would be "no general suspension of business."

Getting Ruth to Iron Mountain was an adventure in itself. After playing an exhibition game in Des Moines, Iowa, on Oct. 27, Ruth and his manager, Christy Walsh, traveled by train and automobile.

According to a telegram from Walsh, the pair "left Iowa City at 9:30 Wednesday night and were carried to Beloit, Wis., by train."

From there, they traveled by automobile to Oshkosh, where Ted Kingsford and Joe Lannan met them and drove them to Iron Mountain. Ruth arrived at approximately 2:30 p.m., about half an hour after the scheduled start.

The Iron Mountain News published a preview that included a roster of players expected to participate, that included pitchers Jack Rahoi, Jab Murray of Menominee, Tom Jones, Joe LaForce, "Fungo" Tedeschi and D.E. Lancey. Catchers included Frank Valenti, Bert Werley, Youngquist of Norway, Charles Crocker. The outfielders were Bunzie Rahoi, Soderberg of Norway, Hayden, George Rahoi, Miller, Si Saxon, Johnson of Crystal Falls. To play infield were Teabault of Marquette; Engblom of Marquette; Belanger of Marquette; Ashenbrenner; Bud O'Conner of Oconto, Wis.; Pultz; Web Jacobson; and Saxon.

The weather was ideal for late October, with warm temperatures and a dry field. Tickets went on sale at noon, and fans gathered early at Athletic Park. Some entered the grounds immediately, while others waited outside until they were certain the famous slugger would appear.

As The Iron Mountain News reported, "the ones more confident of the fact that the Babe would actually appear going inside the park and selecting their seats and the more dubious remaining outside and keeping possession of their coin until their doubts had been removed by the sight of the Bambino. And he did come."

Once Ruth entered the park, he was mobbed by admirers.

"The Yankee star had to fight his way through the crowd and out into the open spaces which ceased to be open spaces as soon as he arrived," the newspaper reported. "The throng was good natured, but it absolutely refused to stay back."

According to the newspaper, "easily the most representative gathering of Upper Peninsula athletic fans ever seen in Iron Mountain."

"Babe Ruth, who has been more or less intimately identified with the New York Yankees and home runs during the past few years, dropped over from Des Moines, Ia., yesterday afternoon to hoist a goodly number of Mr. Spaulding's official cork centers over the fence of the Athletic park and incidentally give an assemblage of some 3,000 enthusiastic fans their money's worth and a bit more," the reporter wrote.

Ruth delivered more than a dozen balls over the fence, including a home run with two runners on base. But the game itself quickly became secondary to the opportunity to watch the legendary slugger hit.

Ruth initially struggled against local pitchers. "Fungo" Tedeschi took the mound against Ruth's team, and the slugger was retired in his first appearance. He struck out during his second trip to the plate and was retired again by Tom Jones of Channing.

The newspaper noted that the crowd was getting "peeved."

Jack Rahoi eventually took the mound, and umpire Gould kept Ruth at the plate until he connected successfully. By the seventh inning, the exhibition had largely turned into a personal hitting show.

The newspaper account continued "In the seventh inning -- (or was it the sixth? -- who knows, or cares?) the Bambino came to the plate and remained there for 15 minutes or so showering the outfield with horsehide until his brow became damp in spite of a cool breeze and the arm of LaForest began to weary. The ball game had been forgotten, but the crowd -- the biggest in recent years at the park -- wended its way home satisfied."

The final score was apparently of little importance.

"The score? That, too, is a mystery. Just one more detail lost in the enthusiasm which was centered upon Ruth," the newspaper reported.

Local players also earned recognition. Bunzie Rahoi caught the first ball Ruth hit inside Athletic Park, while Rahoi, Soderberg of Norway and Web Jacobson were praised for making outstanding catches.

"They looked like real big leaguers," the reporter wrote.

The Casey's Clown Band added to the entertainment, and Ruth received a basket of flowers from the Knights of Columbus.

He also signed baseballs for fans, including several intended for a charitable fundraiser organized by Mrs. Louise Coriagliotte to benefit crippled children in the city.

Leaving the field proved nearly as difficult as entering it.

"Ruth had a sweet time getting out of the field after the game," the newspaper reported. "He was literally mobbed by small boys who tackled him about the legs in an effort to hold him with them for a while longer."

Despite his demanding journey and the crush of admirers, Ruth remained good-natured.

After the exhibition, the Iron Mountain Lions Club hosted a dinner honoring Ruth and Walsh. Frank O. Morett, the club's president, presided, and T.J. Masterson served as toastmaster. Local civic leaders and the event's promoters also attended.

Ruth entertained the gathering with stories and informal remarks, saying he was pleased to have visited Iron Mountain. He also recounted an unusual offer he had received while in the area: the opportunity to purchase Pine Mountain for $100,000 "for the iron that's in it."

The newspaper described Ruth as "a real fellow devoid of any 'high hat' characteristics, despite the fact that he is a national character and about as well known as President Coolidge."

Both Ruth and Walsh were life members of the Lions Club. After dinner, Ruth signed more baseballs and chatted with club members.

Late that evening, Ruth and his party were driven to Pembine, Wis., to catch a train to Minneapolis, where he was scheduled to begin a vaudeville engagement the next day.

A century later, Ruth's legacy lives on in Iron Mountain. Not only for his presence at the plate but for connecting with the community.

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"Remember when?" appears every Wednesday in The Daily News. Those with suggestions or historical photographs they would like to submit can email Terri Castelaz at tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.