Babe Ruth is a name that will always be commemorated in the records of baseball history. He was one of the game’s most acclaimed players, and his legacy has crossed over into popular culture, with monikers like “Sultan of Swat”, “Behemoth of Bust,” and the “Great Bambino”.
The Great Bambino expended most of his 22-year career playing for the New York Yankees, where he set a record by leading the American League in home runs twelve times, including a record sixty home runs in 1927.
Ruth’s demise, however, did not come as a result of his legendary exploits on the diamond, but rather an event that occurred ninety years ago today – January 11th, 2019.
On this day, Helen Ruth, Babe Ruth’s spouse, passed away by ‘suffocation and incineration’ due to a fire in their Watertown home at 47 Quincy St. This occurrence quickly propelled Watertown into the national limelight as details emerged about who had actually perished in the blaze.
Initially, it was believed that Mrs. Ruth had perished in the tragic fire. However, it was soon disclosed that she had been traveling while her acquaintance and companion, Mrs. Emma Corbett, was visiting instead.
This news made international headlines as both Corbett, and Babe Ruth were well-known figures at the time. A funeral service was held at St Patrick’s Church, with hundreds attending to pay their respects to both Corbett and Ruth’s families.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined to this day, with some speculating it could have been caused by faulty wiring or an improperly discarded cigarette butt, while others believe it may have been an act of arson aimed at Helen Ruth due to her husband’s fame and influence.
Irrespective, it cast doubt around Babe Ruth for many years until his passing from cancer on August 16th, 1948, in New York City.
The tragedy is still remembered to this day with a plaque commemorating Emma Corbett located near what used to be 47 Quincy Street which reads:
“In memory of Emma LaVonne Corbett who died as a result of a fire on January 11th 1929.” Babe Ruth himself also paid tribute following her death writing: “No language can express my profound sorrow for Mrs Corbett talking away from us so suddenly…I am proud beyond words that I could call you my friend.”
These sentiments echoed throughout the town where Helen and Babe had lived since 1922 when they purchased their home on Quincy Street; where they raised their two daughters Julia and Dorothy and where Helen hosted friends such as actress Tallulah Bankhead.
Famously quoted by teammate Joe Dugan saying, “To understand him [Babe] you had to understand this: He wasn’t human,”perhaps there is no better way to remember The Great Bambino than how he desired as someone who touched people beyond just sports but through friendship too even after death.
