Beschreibung:

Exceedingly rare newspaper announcing Babe Ruth's acquisition from the minor league Baltimore Orioles and Major League debut for the Boston Red Sox, featuring the first known photograph of the legendary slugger to appear in any newspaper, a cartoon of his debut, and analysis of his abilities. Boston Sunday Post. Boston, MA: July 12, 1914. At the top of page 12 is a cartoon with the stadium announcer bellowing "Ruth Pitching For Boston," announcing the Major League debut of the most legendary player of all time, then a drawing of Ruth yelling "Help!" and reaching for his reliever, Dutch Leonard, with the caption "Ruth Started Well, But Had To Be Saved." Below the cartoon is the article by sportswriter Paul H. Shannon of the previous day's game against the Cleveland Naps (now Indians), titled "Naps Tie Twice but Red Sox Win; Ruth, Pitcher Purchased From Baltimore, Has Very Successful Debut." Shannon heaps praise on the rookie Ruth, calling his first major league start "a triumphal debut" and "a fine demonstration of control and smooth workmanship." A following paragraph with the bold heading "Seemingly Has Everything" describes his pitching repertoire as having "plenty of speed, splendid control, nice curves, and all the earmarks that go to make a successful pitcher." Also included is an account of the 19-year-old Ruth delighting the crowd by twice catching the veteran Shoeless Joe Jackson off-guard on the basepaths. Ruth, obviously most known for his hitting, went 0 for 2 at the plate in his debut, but "hit the ball hard" to Jackson in right field. On the opposite page is a large headshot of Ruth and the two other players acquired from Baltimore, Ernie Shore and Ben Egan. Despite the glowing review in the Post, Ruth only started one more game for the Red Sox before being sent down to the minor league Providence Grays on July 30, then was recalled for one of the team's final games after the Providence season ended. Condition: Very fragile, much damage to the pages.