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“The1934 Tour to Japan” Photo Gallery
Click on any image below to see photos in full size and to start Photo Gallery:
The 1930s Baseball Barnstorming Tours to Japan, Part II: The 1934 Tour
“The 1934 tour would have never happened without Babe Ruth, because – even though he was at the end of his playing career – he was still the most popular and famous athlete of his day.” Tom Shieber, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The 12-city extravaganza featured a formidable entourage of baseball talent. Included were some of the biggest stars of the game: Earl Averill, Lou Gehrig, Charlie Gehringer, Lefty Gomez, Connie Mack, Jimmie Foxx, and of course, the star attraction, Babe Ruth. Less recognizable names on the tour included Earl Whitehill, Eric McNair, Frankie Hayes, Bing Miller, Joe Cascarella, Lefty O’Doul, “Rabbit” Warstler, spy Moe Berg, A’s trainer “Doc” Ebling, and umpire John Quinn. Also among the group was Bud Hellerich, who had founded the Louisville Sluggers Company more than 50 years prior.
And what a reception the American “ambassadors of goodwill” received! It was reported that over 500,000 Japanese lined the streets of Tokyo for the welcoming parade, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the great Bambino. Try to picture the scene with the always-animated Babe cheerfully acknowledging the warm reception by waving Japanese and American flags, while flashing the huge Babe Ruth grin as he rode through the massive sea of adoring fans.
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Gary Livacari
Photo Credits: All from Google search
Information: Excerpts edited from an article on National Baseball Hall of Fame website; and from the 1934 Tour to Japan Wikipedia page
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Gary enjoyed part two. When time permits would you post the player Id’s for the two photographs.
You keep the stories fresh and interesting. Ken DiVincenzo .
Group Shot in Japan:
Top Row, L-R: Doc Ebling, Earl Whitehill, probably Clint Brown, Eric McNair, Frankie Hayes, Connie Mack, Babe Ruth, Bing Miller, Joe Cascarella, Lefty O’Doul, Lou Gehrig. Front Row, L-R: Earl Averill, Rabbit Warstler, Charlie Gehringer, Lefty Gomez, Jimmie Foxx, Moe Berg.
Portraits:
Top Row, L-R: Bing Miller, Joe Cascarella, Moe Berg, Earl Whitehill, Lefty Gomez, Frankie Hayes, Clint Brown. Middle Row, L-R: John Quinn, Robert Schroeder, Babe Ruth, Connie Mack, unknown*, Doc Ebling. Front Row, L-R: Sotaro Suzuki, Lou Gehrig, Charlie Gehringer, Eric McNair, Jimmie Foxx, Rabbit Warstler, Earl Averill
*this might be an injured player who did not go on the trip, but so far I can’t place him. I know Charlie Berry was injured and did not go on the trip to Japan, but this guy doesn’t look like him.
Robert Schroeder worked in the A’s front office.