93 years ago today, The House that Ruth Built hosted it’s first game in front of over 72,000 fans. Babe Ruth christened the park by hitting a home run, a three-run shot off Red Sox pitcher Howard Ehmke, leading to a 4-1 Yankee win. The new $2.5 million ballpark is the first to feature three decks.
The New York Evening Telegram described the atmosphere as: “everything smelled of fresh paint, fresh plaster and fresh grass.” Composer/conductor John Philip Sousa led the Seventh Regiment Band in playing The Star-Spangled Banner in the pregame festivities. After a parade of the players and dignitaries, Ruth was presented with a case containing a symbolically big bat.