04/25/24
February 06, 2008
A Buried Past: It's a chance to honor a woman whom history has mostly forgotten. But it's also an opportunity to revisit a most curious slice of Ruth's most curious life.
Nice find, justgary. This is one aspect of Babe Ruth I had never considered. All along, I had thought he had been orphaned, but I never thought he had been thrown into what amounts to a reform school.
posted by Howard_T at 03:52 PM on February 06, 2008
Thanks Gary for the story. I too had never heard or thought of this aspect of the Babe's life. And thanks to Paul Harris for giving her (Babe's mom) the distinction she deserves, even in passing. I'm fortunate enough to not experienced much death surrounding my family and I find it curious that a burial plot's location sounds a bit like a ticket stub to a sporting event. Lot#, section#, etc... Sorry if that comment was cold or heartless, I meant no offense to anyone.
posted by BoKnows at 05:34 PM on February 06, 2008
Given that every single one of the facts listed about her life seems to be in heavy dispute (and most of it looks to be openly contradictory), I'd love to know how he found her grave in the first place, and how sure he is that that's actually the place. I agree that it's not a dealbreaker as far as the spirit of the story goes, and the sentiment is certainly a right and good one, but the article didn't answer that question in my mind.
posted by chicobangs at 10:40 AM on February 07, 2008
So which was it; that the Babe had such a terrible childhood that he blocked his mother from his mind, or that he just didn't care enough for anyone but himself to even remember her? Either way, his old man wouldn't be winning any father or husband of the year awards.