Babe Ruth Was Black? Are You Kidding?
Posted: Tuesday, May 16, 2006
by Peggy Butler
PSB COMMUNICATIONS
Controversy surrounding Babe Ruth’s heritage remains a hot topic. But is anyone listening?
A 2001 editorial by columnist Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune, asked the proverbial question “Could It Be True The Babe Was Black?" Babe of course is the Sultan of Swat, the Colossus of Clout known as George Herman Ruth. Page wrote the commentary in response to an editorial by the sports columnist of Gotham magazine, Spike Lee. Yep, the same Spike Lee who directed “Malcolm X," “Do The Right Thing’" and other socially-conscious films.
In his editorial Lee asked “Was Babe Ruth Black?" A small plethora of African-Americans say yes, based solely on the Yankee Clipper’s physical appearance. Stocky, with full lips, wide nose and olive complexion, they maintain this is proof Ruth’s blood line was not 100% European. But should features be the dominant factor in determining an individual’s heritage? Not according to David Bodkin, author of “Race, Genes and Other Scientific Mazes."
Bodkin maintains, physical features are not an adequate basis in establishing racial identity, and noted that other elements must be taken into account. “All of us know someone who has Caucasian features, yet insist they’re Black and vice-versa, “ he says. “With today’s technological advances, scientists rely more on genetics than features to determine who’s Black and who’s White." Does that mean the Babe’s nose was just that, big, and not an indication that he was Black? Probably. But what about those lips? What about them? Are we (African-Americans) so arrogant as to think that we have a monopoly on luscious labiums? Get real.
Further proof of Ruth’s “Blackness" is enhanced by theorists, who say his choice in women is confirmation of his heredity. They argue that the Great Bambino reportedly liked women of color. Gee, so did Southern White males in the pre Civil Rights era. But that didn’t stop them from donning KKK attire or denying Blacks their constitutional rights. Now for those who still insist the Babe was Black, how about this interesting tidbit. Babe Ruth was of IRISH-GERMAN DESCENT. Oops, I guess that squelches all those rumors, right? Maybe not.
And speaking of looking Black, have you ever saw photos of actor Humphrey Bogart? What about the NBA’s Jason Williams? With his shaved head and full lips, Williams, a point guard for the Miami Heat could easily be mistaken for a brother. And don’t forget his nickname “White Chocolate." These guys could easily pass for Black in some circles, but have you read any commentaries asking “Could it Be True Jason Williams is Black?" Oh yea, another guy with a big nose was comedian Jimmy Durante? Now you know Jimmy wasn’t a brother by any stretch of the imagination. What about that Spike, care to write a piece on Durante? If you’re looking for a title, I have one that’s perfect. How about “Durante: The Soula With The Big Mazola?"
In reading Page’s commentary, I am inclined to ask why African-Americans would want to claim Ruth as one of their own, in view of reports he allegedly hated minorities, and often used the N word in referring to Blacks. Ironically, Ruth himself was confronted with the N word by another baseball “legend," Ty Cobb. Known in baseball circles as a racist, Cobb was not afraid to share his bigoted views with anyone, not even the Babe.
The late Fred Lieb, writer and author of Baseball As I Have Known It, recalled an incident which confirmed Cobb’s disdain for Blacks. According to Lieb, Cobb was asked to share a cabin with Ruth at a Georgia hunting lodge, but he refused saying "I've never bedded down with a n----- and I'm not going to start now." Now you would think an incident of this nature, would have produced a hostile relationship between the two men. However, instead of becoming enemies, Cobb and Ruth went on to become friends, even spending time with each other following their retirement. Go figure!
Unfortunately for Ruth, his features were also a source of mockery for sports writers of that era. Paul Gallico, journalist and founder of the Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing Competition, once referred to him as “gross," and “ugly." Gallico’s statements according to many, reflected the animosity Whites felt toward Blacks in the Roaring Twenties. Does this prove beyond the shadow of a doubt, that the Behemoth of Swing had black genes surging through his veins? Not necessarily.
In summarizing this dispute, my opinion is modestly simple. With hundreds of Black athletes to choose from, I am puzzled as to why we are still debating Babe Ruth’s heritage,57 years after his death. The bottom line is, why waste time writing about a man who may have looked Black on the outside, but for all intent and purpose was a Caucasian who detested all things African –American. There, I Rest My Case.
Sources:
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0501/page051501.asp (This contains the 2001 Clarence Page commentary, which questions Ruth's ethnic heritage).
Baseball As I Have Known It (1977) Fred Lieb- Hardcover/ 0848815491IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: Because of the controversial nature of the article above, I received a scathing response from a reader who alluded that I was racist, and lacked the credentials normally associated with a writer. My response is, the commentary stems from a 2001 article by Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune. For those of you who are not familiar with Mr. Page, he is African-American, as am I.
As for the editorial, I presented a reputable source, the late Fred Lieb, writer and author of Baseball As I Have Known It, who wrote that Ruth detested Blacks, and disliked any notion that he was of African heritage. Hence, I have presented the facts fairly, and leave it to the discretion of the reader to determine if this commentary is based on facts and unbiased observations, or is this the work of an individual who dislikes Caucasians, as the reader fervently implied.
In 17 years as a freelance writer, I have always made a conscious decision to base my editorials/commentaries on facts, not the race of the person (s) involved.
Thank You
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More commentsHumphrey Bogart DID have black ancestry! Also, J Edgar Hoover detested black and EVERYONE now knows that he was black...and gay! Why are people in such denial that people passed?? It happened people and guess what! It still happens...So, Bogart alledgedly had a touch of African-American in his DNA, isn't that interesting? And with that said, here's to you Bogie!
'Does it really matter?" Well, it is interesting. At least I find it so. I'd always assumed he was Italian 'or something', based on physical appearance and also his poor inner city upbringing that I'd read of as a child. Given that his ancestry is documented is German, it is natural for people to speculate that he might have been in part something else. Black, or maybe part Spanish or Hungarian before his ancestors left Europe. I don't see why it HAS to be politically charged, and I don't see myself as having a dog in the fight. I consider myself to be 1/4 white and not black at all, but if you showed me a DNA test that indicated this was entirely false it wouldn't really matter. This stuff is just interesting, that's it.Donny:
To answer your question, "does it really matter?" Well, to some people it does, and orhers feel the way you do. Either way, thanks for the comments.
Peace!
Well, for those who feel it is not an importance, you are wrong. If you look back in history, you will find more and more blacks especially who feel the need to pass in order to be excepted in society. My father of mixed descent passed as a white man in the Navy. He was a radar technician on a submarine based out of Connecticut. As you know blacks did did not have good jobs, they were given labor jobs such as swabbing decks, or cleaning clothes. Blacks could not eat in the same areas as the whites in which my father was able too. Matter a fact he had some similar traits as Babe Ruth. Full lips, slightly wide nose, olive colored skin, but what made the difference was his straight black hair. His mother of Italian descent, father half black and Native American. This transcended into his life later and up until the day he died and he still held onto that legacy of being everything else but black. Most of today's generation are unaware of how difficult that was for even the blacks back in the 20th Century who needed to be excepted in order to survive in white america. It was survival for the average black. Most people today brush it off, like that is the past, but it has an psychological effect on ones life, sometimes temporarily or for some, the rest of their lives. Like that of Babe Ruth's life. He passed as we all would say and got away with it. It was also stated that his heritage was UNKNOWN. Isn't that ironic. Maybe because if the white man knew it, it would disappoint the white man who embraced him as white, but would be in denial to think differently. Take some time and watch the movie, "Imitation of Life"..it would really make you wonder about how life really was back then and even today. The legacy still lives on. I don't think anyone is stating that Babe Ruth is black, but I believe blacks can see the difference then say whites can. Correct me if I am wrong I believe blacks can differentiate black from white. Or at least see the genetic pool mix with black in it.I agree with you 1000%. Moreover, you have a fantastic way of stating things, from a strong, albeit, analytical viewpoint.
Rock on tennis!
FYI..........the "Yankee Clipper" was Joe DiMaggio..........not Babe Ruth.Hi there:
You are absolutely correct, "Jolting Joe" is and always will be the original Yankee Clipper. Wonder if Yankee shortstop D. Jeter will be referred to as the Clipper, 20 years from now? With the memories of players like DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Peewee Reese, and other Yankee (pinstripes) legends, fading from the public's mind, who's to say what the future holds.
Groove on!Hi there:
You are absolutely correct, "Jolting Joe" is and always will be the original Yankee Clipper. Wonder if Yankee shortstop D. Jeter will be referred to as the Clipper, 20 years from now? With the memories of players like DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Peewee Reese, and other Yankee (pinstripes) legends, fading from the public's mind, who's to say what the future holds.
Groove on!Hi there:
You are absolutely correct, "Jolting Joe" is and always will be the original Yankee Clipper. Wonder if Yankee shortstop D. Jeter will be referred to as the Clipper, 50 years from now? With the memories of players like DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Peewee Reese, and other Yankee (pinstripes) legends, fading from the public's mind, who's to say what the future holds.
Groove on!
Sheesh are people really this confused???? Where can I find "Black" on a map??? Which country or continent is it located in? Secondly you cannot be from Africa and from America and thirdly, why do people think because your skin is light or dark you or your ancestors must only be from Africa or Europe??? Don't people know that terms like “Black" and “White" have not been around forever? Also, the mentality that "Black" and "White" or "Race" mixing is wrong that has been purposely taught has not been around forever either. All of these classifications and manmade barriers are put in place to not only divide people, but to cause certain people to believe they are lesser than a certain group, or one is more superior (sound familiar???). We indeed do live in a "One drop" country, which just goes to show how incredibly racist this country still is despite the celebration of Martin Luther King Day (give me a break) every year. Notice how the French refer to all Americans as Americans and not Black and White, and notice how this country refers to people from Europe as European, or more specifically the exact country they are from, and people from Spain as Spanish, Africa, African....Only in this country do we stoop even lower to dividing based on skin color. And why are people so naive in their thinking that it is impossible for someone in their very very extended family to have procreated with someone who was not the same skin color???? I am a late 20s female who is technically classified as "Black" yet I have light brown skin, brown and red hair (which I get from an immediate grandmother with very dark brown skin and a full head of red hair) and hazel green eyes. I am constantly asked if I am mixed or simply, "What are you." Yet my siblings are darker skinned and fit the stereotype of what a "black" person should look like. Yet my siblings and I all have "Black" “White" "Native American" so on and so forth ancestry, just like every other person on this planet. If you are someone who is classified as "Black" or "White" and think you don't have European, Asian, African etc. heritage you are very uninformed. The Bible lets you see that human life began in Africa, even secular history books confirm that the first humans originated in Africa, so if you think that blood isn't running through your body, you are seriously confused. Here’s the kicker, anyone know how you get a thorough bred dog verses what we call a mutt? It’s called controlled breeding, similar to what man does with dogs; man also does with the mind of its own kind. We teach our children to procreate with people who look similar and you keep the illusion of this “Pure" race alive, but start teaching children to choose based on the content of someone’s character and you have people who don’t tend to look the same or all have the same features….Ever wonder why people say all “White" people look the same, or all “Black" or “Spanish" people look the same, not much variety in the gene pool. But keeping illusions like “race" alive is very profitable and a very cunning political strategy, you’re not simply trying to win votes, but now it’s the “White", “black" Latino" vote, yet another tactic to divide a nation and government that claims its goal is to unite…. When people ask me what I am I tell them I am a woman, a human, the daughter of my parents, a child of God.
Babe Ruth kicked it with many black folks. he would go down to the hood and play ball and drink according to NEgro League players...bottom line i believe he was black and because of it he was never allowed membership into the good ole boi's club! never allowed to manage. they used him up and threw away..
well i certainly believe babe ruth wasn't all the way "white". here in america there are so many factors and things you gotta look like to be considered white but being considered black can be something as simple as your great grandmother being the only black person in your family while everybody else is european and because of that you are labeled black. one drop rule anybody. anyways its not hard for me to believe babe ruth had some "blackness" in him because of his appearance. i' be willng to bet anything that if ruth got into lots of trouble and embarrassed his teammates he'd be considered black but since he revitalized the sport in white america and made is stronger of course he's labled white and a hero. it seems as though when you look mixed race and you do something good you are labeled white and something bad you are labeled black. funny right. and to the woman who wrote this article you are questioning why we still care, well its because this country has a history of people that pass as white as others have mentioned just to get by and be accepted. i want you to look at current rookie in the nba blake griffin. from his appearance he can pass as a preppy white boy, but he's black. he's one of the most dominant big men in the league today and will likely win rookie of the year honors. if he was around in the early 1900's there's no question in my mind he'd be labeled as a white guy. now if he was some guy covered in tattoo's and got into off court trouble he'd be labeled as black.
The negroid feature that struck me about Babe Ruth was the length and beauty of his legs. Blacks used to be known as "high pockets" before political correctness set in. Whites, like me, tend to have legs shorter as against the length of their trunks. I saw this about myself in a home movie of me running in a track uniform.That is interesting to know, you just brought in a new twist to the whole Babe Ruth story!
the yankee clipper was Joe Dimaggio.
I am always so amazed you folks worry so much about some celebrities appearance. Babe Ruth was one ugly man, but being ugly does not make you African or African American, nor does being fat, and Ruth was certainly fat. Not sure what high pockets mean, but so what. I often see that a lot of North American Whites or whatever they are, have broad, short and thick noses, something from Finland perhaps. Some Africans have quite high bridged noses as in Ethiopians and some Nilotic types like the Tutsi of Rwanda and Burundi. Noses vary in Europeans and in Africans.
Humphrey Bogart was black! Show us his family tree and point out the African Black in his family rather than go on about it without any proof. Read about some Dutchman called van Salees, who was called Turk in New Amsterdam. Big deal that is. All Muslims were called Turks or Moors or Saracens in the old days. Means nothing other than the man was a Muslim.
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