ON THIS DAY: May 25, 1935, Babe Ruth hits final 3 career home runs at Forbes Field
Babe Ruth (1921) Babe Ruth. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016830268/. (Library of Congress)
By Matt Simmons
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Home run numbers 712, 713 and 714 were smashed into low earth orbit by Babe Ruth at Forbes Field in Oakland on May 25, 1935. Ruth’s last career home runs set a major league record that would stand until 1974, when Hank Aaron surpassed it on his way to 755.
Ruth had only played in Pittsburgh one previous time, when the Yankees defeated the Pirates in the 1927 World Series. By the time he returned in 1935, the Bambino had become an aging player whose titanic hits would become his final hurrah before retiring eight days later, after several less impressive performances. Had Ruth retired in Pittsburgh, the epitaph on his playing career would have been even more heroic.
Each of the final three hits was greater than the one before as they sailed over the right-field wall. The first one went into the lower deck. The second went into the upper deck. The third one went completely over the roof and out of the ballpark, the first one to ever clear the 86-foot high stands. Some eyewitnesses said it even cleared the roof by 50 feet.
George Herman Ruth, Babe Ruth Babe Ruth the Yankee slugger, photographed as he smacked out his first home run in the Yanks, athletics game at Shibe Park in Philadelphia, April 12, 1932. Ruth Garnered two homeruns and Gehrig also poled two four hits as the yanks defeated the athletic. (AP Photo) (AP)
Babe Ruth (1921) Babe Ruth. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016830268/. (Library of Congress)
Babe Ruth Babe Ruth is shown taking a practice cut prior to the Yankees home opener against the Philadelphia Athletics at Yankee Stadium in New York, April 20, 1932. (AP Photo) (AP)
Ruth More than 50,000 people packed the Polo Grounds in New York, April 23, 1935, to see Babe Ruth make his debut in a National League game in his old home town. Here is manager Bill Terry of the Giants, left, as he and the Babe talked things over before the game. (AP Photo/Muray Becker) (MURRAY BECKER/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Babe Ruth At age 40 with his eye on the right field stands, Babe Ruth taps the plate (upper left); a miss for strike one (upper right); a terrific cut at the ball (lower left) and another miss; strike three and out (lower right) without swinging, April 24, 1935. (AP Photo) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
BABE RUTH IN THE DUGOUT Babe Ruth, vice-president and right fielder for the Boston Braves, sits in the dugout in Chicago before the game against the Cubs on May 21, 1935. (AP Photo) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
After hitting his final home run, Ruth crossed the plate and headed straight to the locker room. At Forbes Field, that meant he had to pass through the Pirates’ dugout and he reportedly paused to sit on the end of the Pirates’ bench next to pitcher Mace Brown, saying “Boy, that last one felt good.”
Born George Herman Ruth on February 6, 1895, he was the first of eight children to a Baltimore saloon keeper. Ruth was a troublemaker from an early age. His parents sent him to an orphanage at the age of seven, where he remained until he was signed as a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles at age 19.
Ruth was sold to the Boston Red Sox and his teammates called him “Babe” for his lack of experience, even though he was already recognized as one of the best pitchers in the league. Despite his record for consecutive scoreless innings in a World Series, Boston sold Ruth to the New York Yankees. It was a mistake that kicked off an 85-year World Series drought that became known to Red Sox fans as “the Curse of the Bambino.”
One of the most celebrated athletes of all time, Ruth was beloved by fans and would often hit more home runs in a single season than entire teams managed throughout the year, including his former Red Sox teammates.
Released by the Yankees after the 1934 season, Ruth returned to Boston to play for the Braves. Though they lost 11-7 to the Pirates, Ruth’s hits accounted for six of the Braves’ runs. Ruth would play five more games before retiring, but he did not record another hit.
Ruth died of throat cancer on August 16, 1948. He was 53 years old.
Just a 10-minute trolley ride from downtown Pittsburgh, Forbes Field replaced the wooden Exposition Park on the flood-prone and smoke-choked North Shore in 1909. Situated among the green hills of still-growing Oakland and adjoining Schenley Park, Forbes Field also bumped up capacity significantly, from 16,000 at Exposition Park to 25,000, the largest in the major league at that time (a further expansion in 1925 would raise that to 35,000).
Named in honor of John Forbes, a British general in the French and Indian War, it was one of the first concrete and steel ballparks. Designed by Charles Wellford Leavitt, Jr., a landscape architect who specialized in gardens at wealthy estates, the palatial grounds of Forbes Field and the ornate details on its multiple decks place it highly in fans’ sentimentality as a “classic” ballpark.
Forbes Field (ca. 1909) Exterior of Forbes Field, a baseball stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, ca. 1909. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/95503573/ (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field Aerial view of Forbes Field. Forbes Field opened June 30, 1909 and was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates after their move from Exposition Park on the North Side. It also served as the home field for the Negro League team, the Homestead Grays, who played all of their home games here from 1922 to 1939. The legendary ballpark saw Babe Ruth hit his last home runs here and Bill Mazeroski hit his infamous home run to win the 1960 World Series. The actual home plate from Forbes Field has been preserved in the floor of Wesley W. Posvar Hall. A commemorative plaque mentions the final games played; a double-header against the Chicago Cubs on June 28, 1970. The Pirates won both games, 4-1 and 3-2. Demolition began on July 28, 1971 after two fires severely damaged the structure. Picture taken between 1950-1959. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Aerial View of Oakland Oakland Aerial View that Shows the Cathedral of Learning under Construction. It also Shows Forbes Field and Pitt Stadium. Picture taken in 1930. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Forbes Field View of Forbes Field and the Nash Kelvinator Sales building taken from the Hotel Schenley on a game day. Forbes Field opened June 30, 1909 and was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates after their move from Exposition Park on the North Side. It also served as the home field for the Negro League team, the Homestead Grays, who played all of their home games here from 1922 to 1939. The legendary ballpark saw Babe Ruth hit his last home runs here and Bill Mazeroski hit his infamous home run to win the 1960 World Series. The actual home plate from Forbes Field has been preserved in the floor of Wesley W. Posvar Hall. A commemorative plaque mentions the final games played; a double-header against the Chicago Cubs on June 28, 1970. The Pirates won both games, 4-1 and 3-2. Demolition began on July 28, 1971 after two fires severely damaged the structure. Picture taken between 1961-1965. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Forbes Field Forbes Field dugout. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Forbes Field A view from the stands at Forbes Field looking toward the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh taken sometime between June and October 1943. The Navy sailor at the end of the field was removed at the close of the season. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Forbes Field Entrance to Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Detroit Publishing Co, C. C. & Detroit Publishing Co, P. Entrance to Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pa. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. United States, None. [Cbetween 1900 and 1910] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016815082/. (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field Detroit Publishing Co, C. C. & Detroit Publishing Co, P. Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pa. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. United States, None. [Between 1900 and 1915] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016802439/. (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field Detroit Publishing Co, C. C. & Detroit Publishing Co, P. The Bleachers, Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pa. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. United States, None. [Between 1900 and 1915] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016802441/ (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field Detroit Publishing Co, C. C. & Detroit Publishing Co, P. Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pa. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. United States, None. [Between 1900 and 1915] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016802439/. (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field Forbes Field was Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1909 through 1970. Picture taken between 1909-1930. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Forbes Field Photograph shows baseball players and spectators at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Detroit Publishing Co, P. (1908) Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, PA. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, 1908. [United States: Detroit Publishing Co] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2015649146/ (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field Detroit Publishing Co, C. C. & Detroit Publishing Co, P. Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pa. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. United States, None. [Between 1900 and 1915] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016802439/. (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field Forbes Field looking from the bridge over St. Pierre's Ravine. Between 1913 and 1914, the ravine was filled in and the bridge was buried, allowing for a larger park space to be completed by 1923. Picture taken on April 6, 1910. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
1925 World Series (1925) Spectators at World Series, watching Washington Nationals playing in Pittsburgh, Pa. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, 1925. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/90705711/. (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field View of Forbes Field and the Nash Kelvinator Sales building taken from the Cathedral of Learning. Forbes Field opened June 30, 1909 and was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates after their move from Exposition Park on the North Side. It also served as the home field for the Negro League team, the Homestead Grays, who played all of their home games here from 1922 to 1939. The legendary ballpark saw Babe Ruth hit his last home runs here and Bill Mazeroski hit his infamous home run to win the 1960 World Series. The actual home plate from Forbes Field has been preserved in the floor of Wesley W. Posvar Hall. A commemorative plaque mentions the final games played; a double-header against the Chicago Cubs on June 28, 1970. The Pirates won both games, 4-1 and 3-2. Demolition began on July 28, 1971 after two fires severely damaged the structure. Picture taken between 1961-1965. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Forbes Field The parched earth, due to sod and topsoil removal, is the foreground of this view of 52 year old Forbes Field in that section of Pittsburgh near the Pittsburgh campus, July 14, 1971. The University of Pittsburgh has decided to go ahead with plans to demolish the now deserted stadium, purchased in 1968 as a site for its new law school and social science complex. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck) (Harry Cabluck/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Forbes Field Scoreboard Forbes Field demolition continues as the scoreboard is dismantled. Forbes Field opened June 30, 1909 and was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates after their move from Exposition Park on the North Side. It also served as the home field for the Negro League team, the Homestead Grays, who played all of their home games here from 1922 to 1939. The legendary ballpark saw Babe Ruth hit his last home runs here and Bill Mazeroski hit his infamous home run to win the 1960 World Series. The actual home plate from Forbes Field has been preserved in the floor of Wesley W. Posvar Hall. A commemorative plaque mentions the final games played; a double-header against the Chicago Cubs on June 28, 1970. The Pirates won both games, 4-1 and 3-2. Demolition began on July 28, 1971 after two fires severely damaged the structure. Picture taken in January 1972. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Demolition of Forbes Field Demolition of Forbes Field. Chairs are being removed from the ballpark, as the scoreboard pays homage to a bygone era. Forbes Field opened June 30, 1909 and was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates after their move from Exposition Park on the North Side. It also served as the home field for the Negro League team, the Homestead Grays, who played all of their home games here from 1922 to 1939. The legendary ballpark saw Babe Ruth hit his last home runs here and Bill Mazeroski hit his infamous home run to win the 1960 World Series. The actual home plate from Forbes Field has been preserved in the floor of Wesley W. Posvar Hall. A commemorative plaque mentions the final games played; a double-header against the Chicago Cubs on June 28, 1970. The Pirates won both games, 4-1 and 3-2. Demolition began on July 28, 1971 after two fires severely damaged the structure. Picture taken in 1972. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Demolition of Forbes Field Aerial view of Forbes Field demolition. Forbes Field opened June 30, 1909 and was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates after their move from Exposition Park on the North Side. It also served as the home field for the Negro League team, the Homestead Grays, who played all of their home games here from 1922 to 1939. The legendary ballpark saw Babe Ruth hit his last home runs here and Bill Mazeroski hit his infamous home run to win the 1960 World Series. The actual home plate from Forbes Field has been preserved in the floor of Wesley W. Posvar Hall. A commemorative plaque mentions the final games played; a double-header against the Chicago Cubs on June 28, 1970. The Pirates won both games, 4-1 and 3-2. Demolition began on July 28, 1971 after two fires severely damaged the structure. Picture taken April 19, 1972. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Demolition of Forbes Field One of the last standing walls of Forbes Field. The formerly complete sign reads "Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates- World Champions 1960." Forbes Field opened June 30, 1909 and was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates after their move from Exposition Park on the North Side. It also served as the home field for the Negro League team, the Homestead Grays, who played all of their home games here from 1922 to 1939. The legendary ballpark saw Babe Ruth hit his last home runs here and Bill Mazeroski hit his infamous home run to win the 1960 World Series. The actual home plate from Forbes Field has been preserved in the floor of Wesley W. Posvar Hall. A commemorative plaque mentions the final games played; a double-header against the Chicago Cubs on June 28, 1970. The Pirates won both games, 4-1 and 3-2. Demolition began on July 28, 1971 after two fires severely damaged the structure. Picture taken April 25, 1972. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Forbes Field Highsmith, C. M., photographer. (2019) It's customary when a professional sports stadium outlives its usefulness for it to be torn down and replaced by some sort of development. But when most of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's, historic Forbes Field baseball stadium, near the main campus of the University of Pittsburgh, was razed in , portions were saved. They include the sections of the brick wall where right-center and right field meet, as well as the flagpole that rose right on the field there. They stand to this day on the very spot where they stood during the stadium's heyday as a mecca for history-minded baseball fans. Allegheny County Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. United States, 2019. -07-04. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2019691331/ (Photographer: Carol M. Highsmith/Library of Congress)
The first radio broadcast of a baseball game happened there in 1921, with the announcer using a telephone as his microphone. Other league firsts for the ballpark include the first rain tarpaulin and the installation of pads on the outfield walls.
Roberto Clemente began his career at Forbes Field and Honus Wagner retired there, living just long enough to see his statue (now at the front entrance of PNC Park) placed behind the left field wall in 1955.
Inevitably, as the University of Pittsburgh expanded, the ballpark’s era came to a close. The university purchased the land in 1958, but repurposing the site was contingent on the ballpark’s replacement, Three Rivers Stadium, being completed.
The lame duck ballpark’s decay became more and more evident as no one was interested in improving a doomed structure, but “The House of Thrills” wasn’t done making memories.
The Pirates played for over 60 years at Forbes Field and won three World Series during that time. During the 4,728 games played at Forbes Field, no one threw a no-hitter. Perhaps even more surprisingly, alcohol was never sold inside the ballpark either, though fans could bring their own until 1959.
The legacy of Forbes Field lives on at PNC Park, which was heavily inspired by its predecessor. The current ballpark corrected the concrete sterility and distance Three Rivers Stadium imposed between fans and players and restores intimacy and asymmetry to the field of play, which immediately won praise from the fans.