This day in NY sports history: Aug. 11, 1929
THIS DAY IN NY SPORTS HISTORY
Sunday, Aug. 11, 1929
With a second-inning shot off Willis Hudlin, Babe Ruth became the charter member of the 500-home run club. Ruth, who had spent the bulk of his first five seasons as a pitcher, accomplished the feat in just 5,801 at-bats (now second-fewest, behind Mark McGwire) and the milestone wasn't matched until Jimmie Foxx reached it in 1940. The Sultan's 30th swat of the season went out of Cleveland's League Park and landed on Lexington Avenue. The ball was retrieved by a young boy who eventually returned it in exchange for $20 and an autographed ball. Ruth, 34, finished that season hitting .345 with a league-high 46 homers and 154 RBIs. He ended his career with 714 home runs, which was the record until it was surpassed by Hank Aaron in 1974.
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