It's just as well we missed the actual anniversary on Thursday. On December 26, 1919—94 years ago yesterday—the Red Sox sold
George Herman Ruth to
The Evil Ones (who had yet to
become The Evil Ones) for $100,000. The price would translate to about $5.5 million today—still an amazing bargain for a 24-year old who in his first year as an everyday player (and final year in Boston) knocked out 29 HRs along with 114 RBIs. He also hurled 166 1/3 innings in 1918—going 13-7 with a 2.22 ERA. But
Harry Frazee needed the cash (
not it turns out for
No! No! Nannette). In any event, Ruth spent the next 15 years with the Yankees—hitting .349 with 659 HRs in pinstripes. And yet, The Babe collected three rings in his six years in Carmine Hose—
just one fewer than he won in the Bronx. Still, yesterday
has to be a day to forget in Red Sox history.
