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    Babe Ruth
    Babe Ruth
    Babe Ruth
    Ebook125 pages54 minutes

    Babe Ruth

    By Guernsey Van Riper Jr. and Seymour Fleishman

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    About this ebook

    Discover the childhood of Babe Ruth, baseball legend and American history all-star.

    Babe Ruth was one of the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and for good reason: he broke countless records and hit 714 home runs, an achievement that went unmatched from 1935 until 1974. A legend in baseball and an American icon, Babe Ruth’s impressive tenure with the Red Sox and later the New York Yankees left an enduring legacy.

    But did you know that Babe Ruth spent his childhood in an orphanage and reformatory—and that baseball was introduced to him by monks? This narrative biography explores the early life and influences that shaped an athletic boy into an American sports hero.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAladdin
    Release dateFeb 17, 2015
    ISBN9781481430791
    Babe Ruth
    Author

    Guernsey Van Riper Jr.

    Guernsey Van Riper, Jr. attended DePauw University in 1926. He earned two varsity letters as quarterback on the football team and one letter as a first baseman on the baseball team. After graduating, he worked in advertising then became an editor at Bobbs-Merrill Publishing Company. He turned his love of sports into books, writing biographies of Lou Gehrig and Knute Rockne along with ten other children’s books.

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    • 5/5
      As a kid George ( Babe Ruth) had a hard life. he knew nothing of baseball! His family could't take care of him so he whent to St. Mary's school for boys where he lerned to play ball. I liked this book because the author had a tone of detail to his lifespan. I learend he hit a legenedarey home run!

    Book preview

    Babe Ruth - Guernsey Van Riper Jr.

    OH, THAT GEORGE!

    THE DOOR OF the little restaurant flew open. A tall, seven-year-old boy dashed out. Bang! went the door as it closed behind him. Headlong he ran along West Camden Street in Baltimore. It was a warm day in April 1902.

    The boy nearly collided with two women walking toward him.

    Georgie! Georgie Ruth! called the shorter woman sharply. Watch where you’re going!

    George stopped suddenly. He thrust back the mop of dark-brown hair from his forehead. He grinned sheepishly. ’Scuse me, Mrs. Callahan, he said. I’m in a hurry! He pushed past the women on the narrow sidewalk and ran down the street as fast as he could go.

    Both women turned to watch.

    That boy! said Mrs. Callahan. She shook her head. But I guess it isn’t his fault. He hardly has anyone to look after him.

    Why, what’s the matter? asked her companion, with a concerned look.

    Well, his father and mother work awfully hard trying to make a living in that little restaurant. Half the time Mrs. Ruth is sick. And she’s got a daughter, Mamie, to look after. So nobody pays much attention to George.

    Oh, that’s too bad!

    Mrs. Callahan sighed. And the things that go on in that restaurant! The men seem to do nothing but fight and talk loudly.

    Are they sailors and oystermen? her companion asked.

    Yes, and the roughest kind, I’m afraid. It’s certainly the wrong place for a headstrong boy like that George Ruth. One of these days I’ve a mind to call the police.

    ON THE STREET

    George whirled around the next corner. He was bubbling with energy. He caught up with three boys walking along halfway down the block.

    Hiya, Slats! he shouted to a thin-faced, sandy-haired boy. George slapped him on the back in greeting.

    Slats stumbled and nearly fell. He gulped hard before he could speak. Hey, what’s the idea? he managed to say. He picked up a stick and started for George.

    George burst out laughing. What’s the matter? he roared. Can’t you take a joke?

    The other two boys laughed too.

    I thought you were tough, Slats, shouted one, a short red-haired boy.

    I guess George doesn’t know how strong he is, said the boy named Jim.

    Well, lay off me, growled Slats, still waving his stick.

    The boys walked along the sidewalk.

    Where are we going now? asked Red.

    Down to the docks! George shouted. Come on!

    Hey, wait a minute, Jim said. Isn’t anyone going to school?

    Ha, ha, ha! laughed the other three boys.

    What’d you bring Jim along for, Red? asked Slats.

    Why, what’s the matter? Jim asked.

    I never have been to school, George boasted in a loud voice.

    Why, what about your mom and pop? Jim asked in surprise. Don’t they care?

    Aw, they’re too busy to know what I do, George answered. They wanted me to go, but I wouldn’t.

    He was bragging very loudly. It made him feel big. But he suddenly remembered how sad Mom had been when he refused to go. He didn’t feel quite so sure of himself.

    Aren’t you ever going? asked Jim, still surprised.

    Well, maybe someday, George said.

    What for? Slats jeered. I only go when I have to.

    Oh—I— George stammered. He couldn’t stop thinking about Mom lying upstairs in bed, about her begging him to go to school and to stay out of trouble. It made him feel so bad that he couldn’t answer Slats.

    But George didn’t like to feel bad. He looked around for something to do—quickly.

    Hey, look! he shouted. There on the sidewalk was a trash can filled with old rubbish. He gave the can a big shove. It upset in the gutter. Cans and bottles and old rags flew all over the street.

    Let’s go! shouted George. All the boys ran as hard as they could. But Slats suddenly tripped George with his stick. Down he went, sprawling full length on the sidewalk! Slats roared with laughter as he and the other boys raced around the corner.

    A woman carrying a broom hurried out of a nearby house. You young ruffians! she shouted. She rushed toward George with her broom. But George jumped to his feet and raced after the boys.

    I’ll get you, Slats! he shouted. He was so angry he couldn’t think of anything else. He caught up with the boys at the next corner. But Slats kept dancing away from him, waving his stick back and forth.

    We’re even! We’re even! called Slats. He grinned in a sly way. But George was still angry. He kept charging at Slats.

    Hey, George, I know where we can get some oysters! Slats shouted.

    George stopped chasing Slats. If there was anything George liked, it was oysters. And he was always hungry. Even if the Ruths had a restaurant, George never seemed to get enough to eat.

    No fooling? he asked Slats doubtfully.

    No fooling! said Slats. All we can eat, and they’re just waiting for us. Come on!

    George grinned broadly. You bet I will! he shouted. Lead me to them!

    George and Slats and Red ran off toward the docks, chattering gaily. They didn’t ask Jim to go with them. They knew he wouldn’t.

    Jim watched them a minute. Then he shook his head and started for school.

    TROUBLE IN THE RESTAURANT

    It was six o’clock in the evening when George got home. He looked cautiously through the door of the restaurant before going in. Only Pop was working behind the counter. Mom must still be sick, George thought.

    About half the tables in the place were full. All the customers were rough-looking men who worked around the Baltimore docks. They were shouting at Mr. Ruth to hurry up with their orders.

    George pushed open the door. He waved to Pop and hurried toward the stairs at the back of the dining room.

    Suddenly a huge, bearded man jumped up. There’s one of those kids now! he shouted, pointing at George. There were three of them, grabbing oysters when we were unloading!

    He reached out to get George as he went by. George dodged quickly. He made a face at the big man and dashed for the stairs. But he moved so quickly he bumped against one of the tables. Dishes and glasses slid off the table and crashed to the floor. A sailor sitting at the table jumped up.

    Now look what you did! he shouted at the bearded man. What’s the idea going after that kid? Pick on someone your own size!

    The big oysterman turned to the sailor. You look about my size, he roared. He rushed at the sailor, swinging both fists.

    Other men jumped up to take sides. In an instant almost everyone had pitched in. Tables and chairs were overturned, dishes crashed on the floor. The

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