When Pastor Rich suggested Babe Ruth’s 1924 APBA card for today’s column, I told him, “He really doesn’t run out of Monster cards, does he?”. I’ve already featured his 1920 card, his 1921 card, his 1927 card as well as his 1930 card. This will be his fifth.
Rich reminded me that it was in 1924 when Ruth had his second highest career batting average, a .37807 mark slightly higher than his .37777 average in 1921. It was also the year of his only batting crown.
However, the Babe wasn’t known for rapping singles of course. He also knocked out 46 homers to lead the AL. He also paced the league in hits and walks (note he only had one less walk than hit). It probably goes without saying but he also led in OBP (.513) and slugging (.739) as well.
As a team, 1924 was a bit of a letdown for the Yankees. It was the first year they didn’t win the AL pennant in three years. They finished 89-63 and second place to the Washington Senators.
| Split | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1924 Totals | 153 | 681 | 529 | 143 | 200 | 39 | 7 | 46 | 124 | 9 | 13 | 142 | 81 | .378 | .513 | .739 |
While it’s nothing like Babe Ruth’s 1921 card, there’s still not much to dislike about this 1924 card. With power numbers 1-1-5-6-6 and eight 14s, Babe even has a couple 7s and 10. Even against an Grade A pitcher, he has SIXTEEN chances to get on base. Against a D pitcher, well, give it up. He has TWENTY.
Ruth led the AL in strikeouts in 1924 with 81. That still only translates to just three 13s. Bonus: one of them is a 41-13.
Fun numbers: 44-6, 25-7, 24-14
I found the MVP voting of 1924 very interesting. You won’t find Ruth’s name on the list of those getting votes. Walter Johnson (21-9, 2.72 ERA) won the award which is fair enough. Looking at the other vote-getters, Ruth’s teammate, Herb Pennock (21-9, 2.83) was the top Yankee. Even catcher Wally Schang (.283, 0 HR, 57 rbis) and Wally Pipp (.295, 9 HR, 114 rbis) from the Yankees received votes while Ruth did not.
Finally, as good a year that Ruth had in 1924, he started to show the wear and tear that his celebrity lifestyle was having on him. By 1925, he showed up to the Yankees camp at an all time high 260 pounds. That season, he had the worst season of his career playing just 98 games and hitting just .290. By 1926 though, Ruth was back in prime form, leading the AL in homers and rbis once again.
thanks as always, Rich!!
something about ruth eh? seeing his cards never gets old. all those hof #s and only 3-13s and not a 24 in sight. thx!!
Can’t believe with that season he had that he received zero MVP votes. Today, he’d receive a $300 million contract extension.
Jim, I don’t know what was behind it. Had to be politics of some sort.
I learned something new today. I did not know the bambino ever won a batting title.
On the MVP voting, Ruth was ineligible because he had won it in 1923. From Wikipedia: In 1922 the American League created a new award to honor “the baseball player who is of the greatest all-around service to his club”. Winners, voted on by a committee of eight baseball writers chaired by James Crusinberry, received a bronze medal and a cash prize. Voters were required to select one player from each team and player-coaches and prior award winners were ineligible. These flaws resulted in the award’s being dropped after 1928. The National League award, without these restrictions, lasted from 1924 to 1929.
Jake, that is something I never knew. I figured there had to be a good reason.
thanks for passing that on!
wow…thanks jake…i knew he’d won a batting title but def. never knew about not being allowed to win 2 years in a row!!
You said in your article: “Rich reminded me that it was in 1924 when Ruth had his highest career batting average, a .37807 mark slightly higher than his .37777 average in 1921.”
The Bambino hit .393 in 1923. Definitely a full season. That should also be a “monster card” as he had 205 hits and 170 walks (the all time record for many years). Counting hi 4 HBp that year he got on base a record (for that time) 379 times.
Hi Daniel,
you are correct sir. I must have been asleep at the laptop. :) it’s been corrected.
For me, if you take away the 25-7 it looks almost like what an average card would be for him.
maybe too many hit #s w/ all those 14s to get in the .340s area but its not that far off and the power numbers seem fairly close.
Gerard, With those eight 14s, he should hit around .390
11.1 hit #s / 28 at bat # = .396
that’s quick and dirty though
http://www.apbablog.com/card-analysis/card-analysis-quick-and-dirty-way-to-estimate-what-a-card-will-hit
yeah thomas those 14s are killers lol