The unveiling of the Babe Ruth statue, titled 'Babe Calls the Shot,' in North Shore Park, St. Petersburg.
On February 8, 2025, St. Petersburg will unveil a 9-foot-2 statue of Babe Ruth, titled ‘Babe Calls the Shot,’ in North Shore Park. This event will coincide with the Kids and Kubs Annual Mayor’s Game, complete with a ceremonial first pitch by Babe Ruth’s grandson. The day will also include a canned food drive benefiting the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, making it a celebration of community spirit and baseball history.
Mark your calendars, folks! The sunny city of St. Petersburg is buzzing with excitement as it prepares to unveil a monumental 9-foot-2 statue of the legendary baseball player Babe Ruth on February 8, 2025. Nestled in the picturesque North Shore Park, this stunning statue, cleverly titled “Babe Calls the Shot,” is the brainchild of talented artist Blake Emory from Plant City.
This statue aims to commemorate one of the most iconic moments in baseball history – that famous game during the 1932 World Series. Imagine Babe, standing at Wrigley Field in Chicago, confidently pointing toward the outfield before sending a soaring home run into the bleachers! This event is a fantastic way to celebrate the centennial of Babe Ruth’s historic home runs while he was training right here in St. Pete.
The statue unveiling is more than just a reveal; it’s turning into a fabulous event coinciding with the Kids and Kubs Annual Mayor’s Game at the same location, specifically at 901 North Shore Dr. NE. The day’s festivities will kick off bright and early with a preliminary softball game at 9:05 AM featuring youthful talents from the TASCO Teen Center—a perfect starter for a fun-filled day!
What better way to celebrate than with a ceremonial first pitch thrown by none other than Babe Ruth’s grandson? It’s truly a family affair as the statue will be unveiled at 11:30 AM by Emory, Tom Stevens, and Mayor Ken Welch.
Later in the day, don’t miss the Kids and Kubs Annual Local Charities Awards presentation, which will take place shortly after the unveiling at 11:50 AM. And the best part? This incredible day filled with baseball action and community spirit is absolutely free for the public!
In recent news, the city of St. Petersburg received a significant boost with a grant of $1,387,038 from the U.S. Department of Transportation. These funds are set to help with the Reconnecting the Historic Gas Plant District Project, which aims to right the wrongs caused by the construction of I-175 back in the late ’70s. Mayor Welch has expressed the importance of reconnecting neighborhoods and addressing issues created by past transportation projects.
In addition to baseball celebrations, St. Petersburg is also stepping up its game in health and education. The city launched the Healthy Homes Initiative to tackle household lead exposure risks, particularly aiming to assist homeowners in the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area.
Furthermore, Raymond James has pledged over $7.5 million to enhance educational opportunities in Tampa Bay through its “Ready for School” initiative, focusing on innovative classroom experiences, summer learning, and ensuring students have access to essential needs for success.
The commitment to nurturing the community doesn’t stop there. The St. Petersburg Housing Authority received $309,498 in funding from HUD for its Family Self-Sufficiency Program. This program aims to empower families in HUD-assisted housing by increasing earned income, reducing the need for welfare assistance, and promoting economic independence.
Also, for local nonprofits looking to make an impact, St. Petersburg is offering Youth Opportunity Grants for Career and College Readiness worth $20,000 each, with applications closing soon on February 10.
Amidst all this, a local student, Gabriela Madera, is making her community proud by being named to the honors list for academic excellence at Nebraska Wesleyan University for the fall 2024 semester.
So gear up, St. Pete! February 8, 2025, is set to be a day filled with fun, celebration, and community spirit as we honor Babe Ruth and enjoy everything that makes our city such a fantastic place to live. Come for the baseball, stay for the community connection!
St. Petersburg to Unveil Babe Ruth Statue in February
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