Posts tagged St. Agnes Hospital

Jane Leavy and the Search for “Big Fella” Babe Ruth’s Baltimore

Jane Leavy’s new book The Big Fella, Babe Ruth and the World He Created, is a fascinating look at the life of Babe Ruth, including his humble beginnings in Baltimore, Maryland. Ms. Leavy’s attention to detail, and her Herculean efforts to uncover unknown and long-forgotten facts about Babe Ruth’s life in Baltimore, helps bring the Big Fella’s formative years in Baltimore into focus, providing a clearer understanding of the years he spent in Baltimore and the impact those years had on his personality and ultimately on his trajectory to the pinnacle of the sports and entertainment world.

Researching and writing Big Fella consumed eight years of Ms. Leavy’s life, and the accolades she has received for her efforts, and the resulting book, are well earned. In April 2016, I had the good fortune of tagging along with Ms. Leavy as she toured Baltimore in search of Babe Ruth’s past.

Our first stop was the former site of St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, once located at 3225 Wilkens Avenue, just west of downtown Baltimore. In 1902, Babe Ruth was sent to live at St. Mary’s at the behest of his father, George Herman Ruth, Sr.

Former Site of St. Mary’s Industrial School, Baltimore, Maryland

After St. Mary’s closed in 1950, the Archdiocese of Baltimore transformed the property into Cardinal Gibbons School, which opened in 1962 and closed in 2010. At the time of our visit, the site recently had been purchased by St. Agnes Hospital. The field where Babe Ruth once played baseball as a boy was in the process of being converted from grass to artificial turf under the direction of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.

Field Where Babe Ruth Played Baseball at St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, Baltimore, Maryland

One of the construction managers at the work site on the day of our visit was kind enough to show Ms. Leavy the construction plans for the field.

St. Agnes Hospital Construction Manager and Author Jane Leavy Viewing Renovation Plans for the Babe Ruth Field at the Former Site of St. Mary’s Industrial School, Baltimore, Maryland

The field is adjacent to the Industrial Arts Building, perhaps the most historically-important building still on the site, dating back to the days when Babe Ruth lived at St. Mary’s.

Baseball Field at St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, with Industrial Arts Building in Background, Baltimore, Maryland

In that building, Babe Ruth learned to make shirt collars, a trade the Xaverian Brothers who ran St. Mary’s taught Babe Ruth as part of his education there.

Industrial Arts Building Located at the Former Site of St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, Baltimore, Maryland

During our visit, Brian Cromer, a project manager and caretaker of the former St. Mary’s site, gave us a tour, including the Industrial Arts Building and the former Xaverian Brothers residence hall. The residence hall was constructed in the 1920s after a 1919 fire at St. Mary’s destroyed a majority of buildings at the school. The residence hall is constructed of stones salvaged from the fire.

Author Jane Leavy Taking Notes, Standing Next to former Xaverian Brothers Residence Hall.

Babe Ruth helped the Xaverian Brothers raise money to rebuild St. Mary’s. The large stone building in the background of the photo below was built in part from funds raised by Babe Ruth after the fire. One additional structure that predates the 1919 fire, and remains at the site, is a brick smoke stack seen in the photo below.

Brick Smoke Stack that Dates Back to the Time Babe Ruth Attended St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, Baltimore, Maryland

After finishing our tour of the the former St. Mary’s site, we drove just one mile northeast on Franklin Avenue to the house where Babe Ruth lived until he was two years old.

Babe Ruth’s Paternal Grandfather’s House, Baltimore, Maryland

Located on the southeast corner of Frederick Avenue and Font Hill Road, the house once was owned by Babe Ruth’s paternal grandfather.

Babe Ruth’s Paternal Grandfather’s House, Baltimore, Maryland

The house is located catercorner from Mount Olive Cemetery. The photos seen here were taken during our trip in April 2016. Since that time, the house was boarded up and its fate now seems uncertain. Given the history of the building, perhaps the City of Baltimore could recognize the significance of the structure and help encourage its preservation.

Babe Ruth’s Paternal Grandfather’s House, Baltimore, Maryland

Our journey next took us to a half mile further east on Frederick Avenue to the Westside Shopping center, located between Frederick Avenue to the north and Wilkins Avenue to the south, at Catherine Street.

Westside Shopping Center, Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland

As Ms. Leavy notes in her book Big Fella, the site of this shopping center was once occupied by the William Wilkens & Co., Manufacturers of Steam-Curled Hair and Bristles. Babe Ruth would have passed this expansive industry and the stockyards that once surrounded the area while traveling Wilkens Avenue on his way to and from St. Mary’s.

Catherine Street and Franklin Avenue, Behind Westside Shopping Center, Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland

The William Wilkens & Co. factory was located in a hollow. According to Ms. Leavy, pigskins and horsehides were placed in the sun to dry in an area of the property once known as Hogs Hair Hill.

300 Block of South Woodyear Street, Baltimore, Maryland

One mile east of the former site of William Wilkens & Co., and five blocks from the eastern terminus of Wilkens Avenue, is Woodyear Street, where Babe Ruth lived from ages 2 to 6.

339 South Woodyear Street, Baltimore, Maryland, Where Babe Ruth Once Lived

His family lived in a 12-foot wide row house at 339 South Woodyear Street. In the photo above, 339 is the red brick structure on the right, with white, wooden steps.

339 South Woodyear Street, Baltimore, Maryland, Where Babe Ruth Once Lived

Babe Ruth’s uncle, John Ruth, lived with his family in the adjoining house at 341 South Woodyear Street (the row house with the metal awning to the right of 339 South Woodyear).

Author Jane Leavy Standing in Front of 339 South Woodyear Street, Baltimore, Maryland, Where Babe Ruth Once Lived

Babe Ruth’s father owned, with his brother John, the Baltimore Lightning Rod Works, which they ran out of the garage located in the backyard of their adjacent properties.

Backyards of 339 and 341 South Woodyear Street, Baltimore, Maryland

That garage still stands on the site, fronted by South Carey Street, across from the Mt. Clare Junction Shopping Center (the land the shopping center is on was once part of the Mount Clare railroad yard).

Garage Once Owned By Babe Ruth’s Father and Uncle, South Carey Street, Baltimore, Maryland

One can imagine young Babe Ruth playing in the back yard of the house and running alongside the garage behind his house.

Back yard of 341 South Woodyear Street and Garage (on right) where Babe Ruth’s Father and Uncle Made Lightening Rods.

It is remarkable that this structure still stands today, with no marker noting its historical importance.

Author Jane Leavy Standing in Front of Garage Where Babe Ruth’s Father and Uncle Once Ran Lightening Rod Business

As Ms. Leavy detailed in her book Big Fella, Woodyear Street was a modest working class neighborhood. One other relative of Babe Ruth lived on the north side of street at 302 South Woodyear Street.

302 South Woodyear Street, Baltimore, Maryland (second house in)

South Woodyear Street is located near Carroll Park, a 117 acre park and the third oldest public park in Baltimore.

View from 339 South Woodyear Street From Steps Looking Toward Carroll Park

With access to Carroll Park less than a block from his front door, it is easy to imagine Babe Ruth as a young boy, heading down the street toward the park.

Easy Access to Carroll Park, Across Railroad Tracks near southern end of South Woodyard Street

Across Carroll Park, looking south, is downtown Baltimore. One can imagine a young Babe Ruth playing along the railroad tracks, and in the surrounding parkland.

Railroad Tracks Near Carroll Park in Baltimore, Maryland, with Downtown Baltimore visible Past the Treeline

Jane Leavy’s Big Fella is an engrossing read, and Ms. Leavy has done Baltimore proud, shedding much light (both known and previously unknown) on the history of Baltimore and its famous son Babe Ruth. Touring Baltimore with Ms. Leavy in search of Babe Ruth’s past was a true pleasure and I feel fortunate to have been along for the ride.

Ms. Leavy will make two appearances in Baltimore during the coming two months, first at Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum at 3 pm on Saturday, December 15, 2018, and then at Peabody Heights Brewery on Sunday January 20, 2019, during the SABR Baltimore Babe Ruth Chapter meeting. Come out and meet Ms. Leavy at either of these two Baltimore events and pick up a signed copy of Big Fella.

Babe Ruth’s Band At St. Mary’s Industrial School For Boys

In February 1914, George Herman “Babe” Ruth signed his first professional baseball contract in the office of Brother Paul Scanlon, the Superintendent of St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys. Babe Ruth’s parents had signed their son over to the Xaverian Brothers when he was eight years old and Brother Paul, as superintendent of the school and Ruth’s legal guardian, was required to sign the player contract on his behalf. Present at the signing that day, in addition to Ruth and Brother Paul, were Jack Dunn, owner of the International League Baltimore Orioles, and Brother Gilbert, the Athletic Director at nearby Mount St. Joseph’s (High School) College (he was a friend of Dunn’s). Prior to that meeting, Dunn and Brother Gilbert had introduced Dunn to Brother Matthias Boutlier (or Boutelier), who was instrumental in helping Ruth develop his baseball skills. Ruth’s contract set his salary at $600 for the season.

Former Site of St. Mary's Industrial School and Babe Ruth Field, Baltimore, Maryland, April 2015

Former Site of St. Mary’s Industrial School and Babe Ruth Field, Baltimore, Maryland, April 2015

The Baltimore Sun reported the signing on February 15, 1914:”[t]he Oriole magnate signed another local player yesterday. The new Bird is George H. Ruth, a pitcher, who played with teams out the Frederick road. Ruth is six feet tall and fanned 22 men in an amateur game last season. He is regarded as a very hard hitter, so Dunn will try him out down South.” On March 2, 1914, prior to Ruth’s departure for Fayetteville, North Carolina, where Dunn’s Orioles held spring training, Brother Paul took Ruth on a tear-filled tour of St. Mary’s so that Ruth could say goodbye to his friends at the school. Brother Paul then accompanied Ruth to Union Station in Baltimore, where he departed for North Carolina, on what was the first of Ruth’s many train rides.

The Famous Bands Of St. Mary's Industrial School, Postcard (T & M Ottenheimer, Baltimore)

The Famous Bands Of St. Mary’s Industrial School, Postcard (T & M Ottenheimer, Baltimore)

Although Ruth later would become the most famous export of St. Mary’s Industrial School, at the time of his departure, it was the St. Mary’s Bands that perhaps had brought the school the most fame in Baltimore and around the country (John Phillips Sousa is said to have stated that St. Mary’s was the best high school band he had ever heard).

St. Mary's Industrial School Souvenir Program, Annual Concert, April 24, 1914 Image Huggins and Scott Auctions)

St. Mary’s Industrial School Souvenir Program, Annual Concert, April 24, 1914 Image (Huggins and Scott Auctions)

On April 24, 1914, just a month and a half after Ruth departed the school, St. Mary’s held its Annual Concert. Included in the school program was a now-famous photo of Ruth and his teammates, who in 1914 were league champions (according to the photo). The photo depicts the team grouped in front of the school’s bandstand or gazebo. Exactly five years to the day after that concert was performed, a fire started by a errant piece of coal destroyed most of the buildings at St. Mary’s.

St. Mary's Industrial School Baseball Team Photo 1914 (Image Huggins and Scott Auctions)

St. Mary’s Industrial School Baseball Team Photo 1914 (Image Huggins and Scott Auctions)

The fire destroyed the main school building, although the chapel that sat at the corner of South Caton Avenue and Wilkins Avenue was spared.

St. Mary's Industrial School in 1919, After the Fire (Photo by Hildegarde Anderson of 3236 Ravenswood Avenue, Baltimore Sun Reprint of Hildegarde photo, 1962).

St. Mary’s Industrial School in 1919, After the Fire (Photo by Hildegarde Anderson of 3236 Ravenswood Avenue, Baltimore Sun Reprint of Hildegarde photo, 1962).

At the time of the devastating fire, Ruth was a member of the New York Yankees and well on his way to becoming a baseball legend. When Ruth learned of the fire he was determined to find a way to rebuild the school. Although it is not clear who’s idea it was, Ruth helped the school raise money through a tour by the St. Mary’s Industrial School Band. Brother John Sterne, who as an adolescent attended St. Mary’s, played in the band on that tour and years later recounted the event: “[d]uring the last road trip of the 1920 season, Babe sponsored the St. Mary’s Band to travel with the Yankees as ‘Babe Ruth’s Boys Band.’ Giving concerts at the ball parks before the game, the boys would later circulate among the patrons, collecting change and bills in their sailor hats. Not only was a goodly sum of cash received, but the free publicity was invaluable. By this effort, the Babe gave much back to his alma mater, of which he was always proud.” Cairnes, Phillip F. (Brother Gilbert), Young Babe Ruth, His Early Life and Baseball Career, From the Memoirs Of A Xaverian Brother, McFarland 1999, p. 11.

St. Mary's Industrial School Private Mailing Card, Featuring Babe Ruth's Band

St. Mary’s Industrial School Private Mailing Card, Featuring Babe Ruth’s Band

Brother Paul, who was school superintendent at the time of the fire, accompanied the St. Mary’s Band on that trip. As part of St. Mary’s efforts to raise funds, the school produced a Private Mailing Card that pictures the St. Mary’s Band near the baseball field where Ruth once played. The bandstand, where Ruth posed for the 1914 team photo, is visible in the background of the card as well.

Reverse Of St. Mary's Industrial School Private Mailing Card, Featuring Babe Ruth's Band

Reverse Of St. Mary’s Industrial School Private Mailing Card, Featuring Babe Ruth’s Band

The reverse of the Private Mailing Card includes a printed acknowledgement from Brother Paul, thanking patrons for contributing funds for rebuilding the school. One example of that card, which is pictured above, has a personal note from Brother Paul dated March 3, 1921, thanking “Miss Cramer” for a one dollar donation. Brother Paul adds, “Shall have our little boys pray for your intention. May God bless you.” Brother Paul remained at St. Mary’s until 1925, and three years later was named Superior General of the Xaverian order.

Newspaper Enterprise Association Photo of St. Mary's Industrial School, Baltimore, Maryland, August 17, 1948

Newspaper Enterprise Association Photo of St. Mary’s Industrial School, Baltimore, Maryland, August 17, 1948

With the help of Ruth the school was rebuilt and continued to serve wayward boys of Baltimore another 30 years. On August 16, 1948, Ruth died in New York City and at St. Mary’s the following day, a special prayer service was held for Ruth at the school’s chapel. A NEA wire photo captures the moment. The photo’s description, set forth on the back of the photo, states: “BALTIMORE, MD. — Sorrowful boys at St. Mary’s Industrial School kneel at the altar in the school’s chapel for morning prayers after they were informed that Babe Ruth, a graduate of the institution and one of its greatest benefactors, had died. In center is Brother Herbert who taught at the school when Babe Ruth attended. At extreme right is Brother Charles, superintendent of the school.”

Newspaper Enterprise Association Photo Description of August 17, 1948 St. Mary's Industrial School Photo

Newspaper Enterprise Association Description of August 17, 1948 Photo, St. Mary’s Industrial School

St. Mary’s Industrial School closed in 1950, and the facility later was reopened as Cardinal Gibbons High School (as an aside, it was Cardinal Gibbons who performed Ruth’s Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Mary’s in 1907). Cardinal Gibbons High School closed in 2010. The property is now being redeveloped by St. Agnes Hospital. It is perhaps fitting that, once Babe Ruth died, the school that helped make him who he was, was shuttered as well. Newspaper accounts do not mention whether Babe Ruth’s Band played one last time in his honor the day he passed.

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