Babe Ruth Honored with Statue in St. Petersburg as Rookie Card Hits Auction Block

Babe Ruth statue unveiled in St. Petersburg
Babe Ruth as a left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. Ca. 1914-19. Photo by Everett/Shutterstock (10112097a)

Baseball legend Babe Ruth is being honored in St. Petersburg with the unveiling of a nine-foot, two-inch statue titled “Babe Calls the Shot.” The statue, crafted by Plant City artist Blake Emory, will be revealed at North Shore Park on Saturday, February 8, marking the centennial of Ruth’s first spring training in the city, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.

The statue commemorates Ruth’s iconic moment during the 1932 World Series when he famously pointed to the outfield before hitting a home run at Wrigley Field. Tom Stevens, Ruth’s grandson, will throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Kids and Kubs Annual Mayor’s Game, held at 901 North Shore Drive N.E.

Ruth first came to St. Petersburg in 1925 for spring training with the New York Yankees, practicing at Crescent Lake Field—now Huggins-Stengel Field—which was built specifically for the team. He continued training in the city until 1935 when he played his final season with the Boston Braves, who also held their spring training there.

The celebration of Ruth’s legacy extends beyond St. Petersburg. Just ahead of what would have been his 130th birthday on February 6, one of his rarest baseball cards is drawing attention at auction. The 1916 M101-4 Sporting News Blank Back rookie card, graded PSA Near Mint 7, is the headline item in Heritage Auctions’ Winter Platinum Night Sports Auction. According to the Pinnacle Gazette, the card is expected to sell for over $2.5 million, with bidding already exceeding $808,250.

Only two blank-back Ruth rookie cards have been graded PSA 7, with none ranked higher. A similar card sold for $2.4 million in 2021, demonstrating the enduring demand for Ruth memorabilia. The M101-4 and M101-5 card series, created by Chicago sports photographer Felix Mendelsohn, featured 200 major league players, with variations in the advertising or blank backs. Another copy of the same card with a Sporting News ad back sold for $1.77 million in 2023.

The Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum has also launched a new exhibit marking the 100th anniversary of Ruth’s entry into professional baseball. The display features never-before-seen artifacts, including the scorebook from his first minor league game with the Baltimore Orioles, his 1914 rookie card, his marriage certificate to Helen Woodford, a bat from his record-breaking 1927 season, and the rosary he carried until his death in 1948.

Michael Gibbons, the museum’s Executive Director, emphasized Ruth’s lasting impact, stating, “Even though he was a Yankee, he is Baltimore’s guy,” as reported by WBAL. He added that Ruth remains the standard by which all baseball players are measured.

Ruth, born on February 6, 1895, was already a star pitcher for the Boston Red Sox when the card was produced. During the 1916 season, he faced off against the legendary Walter Johnson five times, winning four matchups. Ruth finished the season with a 23-12 record, a remarkable 1.75 ERA, and nine shutouts. He also pitched a 14-inning complete game in the World Series, helping Boston to its second consecutive championship.

The upcoming events in St. Petersburg, combined with the high-profile auction and museum exhibition, highlight the continued admiration for Ruth’s legacy. His impact on baseball, from his record-breaking performances to his larger-than-life persona, remains deeply ingrained in American sports history.

The unveiling of “Babe Calls the Shot” ensures that Ruth’s connection to St. Petersburg is forever memorialized, while the auction of his rookie card underscores his lasting influence on collectors and fans alike. As these events unfold, they serve as a powerful reminder of Ruth’s towering presence in baseball and American culture.