February 2, 1995
One of the more captivating and mythical characters in American history will turn 100 years old on Saturday.
Babe Ruth, who entertained America with his pitching, hitting and general character for over 30 years, from his debut in 1914 until his death from throat cancer in 1948, will have his birthday observed with a symposium here on campus.
Speakers at the event will include sportswriter Leonard Koppett and San Francisco Giants announcer Hank Greenwald, as well as two former major league players, Ed Mayer, who pitched for the Chicago Cubs in 1957-58 and Dino Restelli, outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1949 and 1951.
History Professor Jules Tygiel will talk on Ruth's statistical impact on the game of baseball and English Professor Eric Solomon will reflect on Ruth's legacy in literature.
Ruth, who is first all-time in career slugging average (.690), walks (2,056), and home run percentage (8.5), held both the career (714) and single season (60) home run records for over 25 years after he retired.
Ruth's legend grew during the 1932 World Series after he allegedly pointed to a spot in the bleachers and promptly smacked a home run to that spot on the next pitch. While his hitting exploits with the New York Yankees earned him the name The Sultan of Swat, Ruth was also a starting pitcher with the Boston Red Sox from 1914 to 1919.
The symposium, which is sponsored by the San Francisco State History Department, the History Students Association and the Bay Area chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research, will be held on campus Saturday Feb. 4 in TG-1 at 1 p.m. TG-1 is located directly across from the gymnasium's main entrance.