Babe Ruth in Billings, and a boy’s thrill

When I was researching and then writing my latest book, the biography of star Baltimore Orioles pitcher Dave McNally, I came across several excellent stories that just didn’t fit in that work.

One of the best, which I want to share, involves the time in the late 1940s when the most famous baseball player of all time–Babe Ruth–visited Billings. And how his time in the Montana city left a lasting impression on a local family.

What I would give to have been on hand during those days in August 1947 when the Sultan of Swat graced my city with his presence. Having been born in 1951 in Glendive, Montana, 220 miles away from Billings, I missed my chance.

Yet, thanks to one of the wonders of the Internet, online newspaper archives, as well as my rich network of connections, it’s possible ride a figurative Time Machine back almost 80 years to that time. And to share my ride with you.

Let’s look back at Babe’s visit here, a year before his death from throat cancer at the age of 53.

The Bambino flew into Billings through the sponsorship of the Ford Motor Company, which sent the former Yankee slugger around the country to visit sites of American Legion baseball regional tournaments. Billings was the smallest city on Ruth’s tour, and he made a lasting impression. Especially on the family of one of the city’s premiere baseball families, the McIntoshes.

Here’s what happened. After Ruth landed at the Billings airport, where Mayor H.E. Buddinger and a crowd of nearly 1,000 persons greeted him, Ruth put on a 10-gallon hat and participated in a short ceremony.

Then, Ruth, his wife, and the nurse who constantly accompanied him, headed downtown for a stagecoach ride, maybe better described as a parade, en route to the Northern Hotel, his lodging place for four days.

And that’s where the McIntosh family intersected with the Bambino.

Specifically, it was Tom McIntosh, the oldest of the family’s five children, who brushed with fame on August 19, 1947.

Tom, a Legion baseball star in Billings who became a physician in Iowa, passed away a couple years ago. But his brother Joe, another local Legion star who pitched two seasons for the San Diego Padres, shared a 2006 email from Tom that described the historic event.

“Hey, Mom! Babe Ruth is coming to Billings.” That’s what Tom recalled saying after reading the news in the August 17, 1947, issue of the Billings Gazette.

Tom noted that Ruth planned to spend some time visiting Detroit Tigers Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane, who owned a ranch up the highway from Billings near Red Lodge. Cochrane’s connection to Billings included his brother, Archie, who had purchased an existing Ford dealership in Billings a couple of years earlier.

Tom McIntosh’s mother was fully aware of what a Ruth visit to Billings meant.

As her son recalled, she said, “You ought to get his autograph. I’ll bet Stroup Hardware would have a new ball.”

Tom rode his bicycle to the South Side business and purchased a new baseball for 50 cents. He was confident it would “hold up OK” if Tom didn’t use it for hitting.

So, apparently, based on Tom’s memory, Ruth and his entourage rode in a “fancy, horse-drawn carriage” down 27th Street towards then Athletic Field (later Cobb Field) before continuing on to the Northern.

Tom evidently tried to get an autograph at the airport, but Ruth was too closely surrounded by dignitaries for the ten-year-old boy to get close.

As the procession traveled down 27th, however, Ruth was an easier target.

“Several times, I yelled, ‘Hey Babe!’, offering up the ball, only to be shooed away by the worthies,” McIntosh said.

“On third down the trail, I caught his eye and again begged, ’Hey, Babe would you sign my ball?”

“Aw, let the kid up here,” Ruth said, his voice raspy as he pulled the youngster up on his lap. “A new ball, huh? Where’s your pen?”

“Pen? I never thought of a pen,” McIntosh recalled. But Ruth, known for his love of children, helped the boy. “Say, someone here lend me a pen for this kid.”

As Ruth began to sign, the carriage hit a bump and jarred Ruth’s hand. He started over and completed the signing with “a neat unhurried stroke.”

Mission accomplished, McIntosh climbed down from the cart and ran alongside it the rest of the way to the ballpark.

To be continued ...

A couple technical notes.

First, I blended two mailing lists and did the best I could to spot duplicate entries with my “middle-aged” eyes. If, however, I missed something, and two newsletters landed in your inbox, please email me, and I’ll further clean up my list.

Second, in some cases, all my list contains is your email address, with no name included. I have been able to sniff out what I think are names for several members, but others befuddled me. In those cases, I labeled you as either “Subscriber” or “New Subscriber.” If that describes you, or if I incorrectly labeled your name, again please email me and I’ll change the entry in my list.

Lastly, I’ve created three newsletters over the past several years: (1) Montana history, baseball and other joys of life; (2) This, that and other things; and (3) Imagine when ... stories from our colorful past. Just now, I’ve turned on your subscription to all three newsletters. If, however, you’re interested in only one, or perhaps two, tops, please email me, and I’ll make the needed change.

Thanks!