"Babe Ruth Plays The Field"

The Yankees vs. Red Sox Reader is a new compilation of writings on the Rivalry. Contributors include Roger Angell, Peter Gammons, David Halberstam, Thomas Boswell, Bill Lee ... and me.



My short piece recounts the days before Babe Ruth's first game as a position player. He played first base and batted sixth for Boston on May 6, 1918. He went 2-for-4 with a home run, but the Red Sox lost to the Yankees 10-3 at the Polo Grounds. Earlier that week, the Yankees' offer of more than $100,000 for Ruth was turned down.