GREAT OLD TIMERS’ FOOTAGE: 1947 Tribute To Babe Ruth!

Posted on: August 26, 2021
By: Gary Livacari
With: 6 Comments

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GREAT OLD TIMERS’ FOOTAGE:

1947 TRIBUTE TO BABE RUTH!

Many of you know how much I enjoy Old-Timers’ games. I recently came on to what I think is the best footage from an Old Timers’ game I’ve ever seen. I’m sharing it from Gregg Schneider’s Baseball, 1857 through 1993 Facebook page.

The footage is from the 1947 tribute to a dying Babe Ruth at Yankee Stadium. It’s loaded with Hall-of-Famers and others from the Dead Ball Era in the later years of their lives. Take the time to read the introduction which will give you the setting for the clip, then spend the 4:40 it takes to view it. Trust me on this one…you won’t regret it.

The featured photo above is a still shot from the 1947 tribute to Babe Ruth, L-R: Cy Young, Duffy Lewis, Tris Speaker, Harry Hooper, and Ty Cobb.

Since I enjoy identifying ballplayers in old photos and films, I also attempted to identify the players as they appear. I’ve indicated the names below and the time in which they appear. I’m missing a few names, so if you can help ID any that I missed, I’d greatly appreciate it.

PLAYER IDENTIFICATIONS FROM THE FOOTAGE

:01 Mel Allen, 03 Connie Mack, :10 Joe McCarthy, :19 Red Faber, :19 Stan Coveleski, :22 Ed Walsh, :26 George Earnshaw, :28 Chief Bender,

Harry Hooper, Tris Speaker, and Duffy Lewis at an Old Timers’ game in the 1930s.

:32 Cy Young, :38 Unknown A’s, :43 Ray Schalk, :44 Mickey Cochrane, :47 George Sisler, :52 George McBride, :56 Jimmie Foxx, 1:04 Charlie Gehringer, 1:10 Frank “Home Run” Baker, 1:20 Tris Speaker, 1:24 Duffy Lewis, 1:30 Harry Hooper, 1:37 Waite Hoyt, 1:40 Ty Cobb, 1:48 Group with Cobb, Hooper, Speaker, D. Lewis, Cy Young, 1:59 Lefty Gomez, 2:01 Red Ruffing (I think), 2:04: Elmer Smith, 2:07 Wally Pipp, 2:08 Jimmy Foxx, 2:11 George Sisler, 2:12 Joe Judge, 2:14 Unknown Yankee, 2:15 Mike McNally, 2:18 Jack Berry, 2:20 Roger Peckinpaugh, 2:32 Unknown Yankee, 2:27 Red Rolfe, 2:30 Frank “Home Run” Baker, 2:32 Unknown Indian.

Gary Livacari

Gary Livacari

I'm a baseball historian who also enjoys writing. My forte is identifying ballplayers in old photos, and my special interest is the Dead Ball Era.

6 Comments

Mark Kolier · August 27, 2021 Reply

Thanks Gary it’s great to get a glimpse of these all-time greats.
Gary Livacari · August 27, 2021 Reply

Thanks Mark. I love looking at Old Timers photos and I’m always on the lookout for good pics and film clips. I thought this was a particularly good one.
kevin barwin · August 28, 2021 Reply

Wonderful video. All the old-timers there that day were American Leaguers, which leaves out Augie Galan. My guesses are :19 Big Ed Walsh, :19 Stan Coveleski, (Indian), :22 Red Faber, :26 George Earnshaw, :38 Lefty Grove (he wore #3 in his playing days), :52 Joe Judge, 2:04 Aaron Ward, 2:12 Joe Judge, 2:16 Wilcy Moore, 2:18 ? (Might be Jack Barry, Jack Coombs, or Al Simmons, they were all there), 2:14 Earle Combs, 2:15 Bob Meusel, 2:28 George Selkirk, 2:32 Herb Pennock, 2:32 unknown Indian. Some tidbits: Joe McCarthy was signed the next day to manage the Red Sox. In the two inning affair Earle Combs hit a three run inside the park home run over Tris Speaker’s head (I bet the Gray Eagle took some kidding for that as he was well-known for playing shallow). Cobb lead off the game with an attempted bunt and was thrown out by Wally Schang.
- Gary Livacari · August 30, 2021 Reply
  
  Thanks Kevin for your great input! I’ve updated the text to include a bunch of your IDs. Greatly appreciated!
Kenneth kasper · September 1, 2021 Reply

Gary great video I’m wondering if you know anyone who has old timers day ceremonies ny yankees on video or film from 1950s to 90s thanks
- Gary Livacari · September 2, 2021 Reply
  
  Thanks Ken, offhand I don’t but I’m pretty sure you could find some on You Tube.