News Summary
St. Petersburg is gearing up for a festive weekend from February 6-8, celebrating the centennial of the New York Yankees’ arrival for spring training, with special honors for baseball legend Babe Ruth. Organized events include the Kids & Kubs Annual Mayor’s Game, a proclamation of ‘Babe Ruth Day’, a statue unveiling, and various family-friendly activities. This celebration highlights the Yankees’ significant impact on the city and their role in its baseball culture. Everyone is encouraged to join in the fun and community spirit over the weekend!
St. Petersburg Gears Up for a Festive Weekend Honoring Babe Ruth and the Yankees’ Centennial!
Hold onto your baseball caps, St. Petersburg! This coming February 6, 7, and 8, the city is set to throw a fantastic celebration in honor of the centennial of the New York Yankees’ arrival for spring training. And guess what? The legendary Babe Ruth was the shining star of that team! This event promises to be a delightful blend of history, fun, and community spirit, so mark your calendars!
The Weekend Events
The celebration features several exciting events that the whole family can enjoy! One of the highlights is the Kids & Kubs Annual Mayor’s Game. What makes it extra special this year? None other than Tom Stevens, Babe Ruth’s own grandson, will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Talk about keeping it in the family!
Remembering the Legacy
For years, a dedicated celebration committee has been working tirelessly to put together events that honor both Babe Ruth and the Yankees for their significant role in St. Petersburg’s rich history. The arrival of the Yankees turned St. Petersburg into the epicenter of spring training, and they brought a spotlight to the city like you’ve never seen before. Local resident Tim Reid, a co-director of the committee, emphasized how impactful those years were for the community.
Originally training in St. Petersburg for many seasons, the Yankees eventually moved to Fort Lauderdale and later Tampa, leaving behind a legacy that still resonates today. Other teams, such as the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets, followed suit by making St. Petersburg their second home for spring training, further enriching the baseball culture in the area.
Babe Ruth’s Impact
The impact of Babe Ruth on the city was phenomenal! Will Michaels, the president of the Kids & Kubs Senior Softball Club, mentioned how Ruth’s games led to an explosion in attendance, sometimes even tripling the city’s population on game days. Can you imagine that hustle and bustle?
The Kids & Kubs club, which has been around since 1930, features players who are 74 years and older. They’ve made it a tradition to honor Ruth, even celebrating a special Babe Ruth Day in his name. Ruth himself had a cozy penthouse suite during his stays in St. Petersburg and was a generous supporter of several local nonprofit organizations.
Honoring a Legend
The festivities kick off on February 6 with a proclamation declaring it “Babe Ruth Day” at City Hall. Just imagine the joy as residents pay tribute to this iconic figure. On the following day, February 7, there will be a ceremonial measurement honoring the breathtaking distance of Ruth’s longest home run, celebrated at Waterfront Park.
But that’s not all! On February 8, the excitement reaches a fever pitch with the unveiling of a magnificent 6-foot-2 statue of Babe Ruth, created by local artist Blake Emory. This stunning statue captures the essence of Ruth pointing to center field, reminiscent of his famous gesture during the 1932 World Series. After nearly three months of work, it will be displayed permanently for all to admire!
The Full Schedule
Here’s a sneak peek at the lineup of events on February 8:
- Youth softball games kick things off at 9:05 a.m.
- At 11:30 a.m., there’ll be the much-anticipated statue presentation and unveiling.
- Get ready for the Kids and Kubs Annual Local Charities Awards at 11:50 a.m.
- Then, let the games begin! At 12:10 p.m., Mayor Welch’s City Hall Stars will face off against the Kids and Kubs All-Stars in an exciting softball match.
- A Centennial Parade at 4:30 p.m. will cap off the thrill of the day.
- For golf lovers, there’s a jungle golf cart parade at 5:00 p.m. at the historic site of the old Jungle Club Golf Course, where Ruth loved to tee off.
- And let’s not forget the celebrations at Jungle Prada Park featuring food, music, and even a Babe Ruth impersonator from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.!
- If you’re looking to keep the spirit alive, an after-party is happening at Jungle Prada Tavern/Gangplank, a spot with deep ties to Ruth’s personal history.
The best part? All these fantastic events are completely free and open to the public! Organizers are encouraging everyone to come out, participate, and celebrate this momentous occasion together as a community.
Join the Fun!
Whether you’re a die-hard baseball fan, someone who loves a good community celebration, or just curious about the local history, you won’t want to miss this weekend! With so much planned, it’s going to be a memorable tribute to Babe Ruth and the fabulous Yankees.
Stay tuned for even more details as the date approaches and get yourself ready to revel in the joy and excitement that this historic weekend promises to bring!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
The Saint to Become The Ball in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Celebrates Baseball Legend Babe Ruth with Monumental Statue
St. Petersburg to Unveil Babe Ruth Statue in February
Additional Resources
- TBN Weekly: Babe Ruth Celebration
- St. Pete Catalyst: Babe Ruth in St. Petersburg
- St. Peterising: Princess Martha Hotel History
- Wikipedia: Babe Ruth
- Google Search: Babe Ruth Yankees Centennial Celebration St. Petersburg
