The Day Babe Ruth Got Arrested for Pitching

The Day Babe Ruth Got Arrested For Pitching

In the annals of baseball history, few stories are as bizarre as the day Babe Ruth was arrested for illegal pitching. The incident occurred on May 7, 1917, when Ruth was still with the Boston Red Sox.

At the time, there was a Massachusetts blue law that prohibited certain activities on Sundays, including baseball games that started before 2 p.m. The Red Sox were scheduled to play an exhibition game against a team from Camp Devens, a nearby military base, with Ruth slated to pitch.

The game started at 1:30 p.m., half an hour before the legal start time. Ruth took the mound and began warming up. Local police, enforcing the blue law, stepped onto the field and arrested Ruth mid-windup.

The Babe was taken to the local police station, booked, and released on bail. The charges were later dropped, but the incident made headlines across the country. It highlighted the absurdity of some of the blue laws still in effect at the time and added another colorful chapter to Ruth's already legendary career.

This episode stands as a testament to the changing times of early 20th century America, where the growing popularity of baseball often clashed with traditional societal norms.