Legendary sportswriter Fred Lieb told a story about Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth from the 1920s. Scheduled to share a cabin on a hunting trip, Cobb refused, saying he wouldn’t share with “a n — — —.”
Perhaps Cobb should have been more careful with his insult?
Despite being the most renowned baseball player of his time, some think Ruth may have had African-American ancestry. His broad lips and wide nose hinted at mixed heritage. In fact, according to Ruth’s biographer Leigh Montville, Ruth faced significant taunts during his childhood and was sometimes called “n—-r lips” by his classmates.
… And let’s not forget that he dated black women and frequented Harlem’s Cotton Club.
Did the Babe have Black blood?
Back then, the one-drop rule was a legal principle of racial classification. It asserted that any person with even one ancestor of Black ancestry (“one drop” of “Black blood”) was considered Black (or Negro or colored in historical terms).
Wikipedia
During the 1922 World Series, Giants player Johnny Rawlings shouted racial slurs at Ruth, who later challenged him to a fight but calmed down upon seeing reporters. Ruth asked them not to write about it.
Babe Ruth, right, with legendary heavyweight champion Joe Louis
It was no secret Ruth had an affinity for Black ballplayers. After winning the 1927 World Series, he joined a barnstorming tour against Negro League teams and befriended legendary Negro League pitcher Satchel Paige. And years later, racist MLB commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who prevented integration in major leagues, blocked Ruth from becoming a manager due to his support for signing Black players.
It’s not surprising that rumors of Ruth’s presumed African-American ancestry persisted despite his denials. Historically significant, his possible mixed heritage would have shocked many during America’s racist era.
It’s important to recognize that Ruth was a strong opponent of segregation and cherished many friendships and partnerships with Black individuals. He also took a courageous stand against Adolph Hitler well before it became widely accepted.
Babe Ruth’s potential African-American roots highlight important questions about American race history. Even if he wasn’t biracial Black, Rurh was sympathetic to the plight of Blacks and empathized with underprivileged athletes much like Bill Clinton was considered (unofficially) “the first black president. So, despite no hard evidence of a multi-racial background, Ruth’s principled stand and courageousness during a racist period only add to his legacy.
