SPORTS SHORTS, 1920

Ruth Sold to Yankees

(New York – January, 1920) Pitcher George Herman “Babe” Ruth was sold by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees for $125,000. It was the highest sum ever paid for a baseball player. Ruth, who hit 29 home runs last season had asked for a $10,000 salary increase to $20,000 per year. Ruth will pitch and play outfield for the Yanks.

Black Sox Scandal Rocks National Pastime

(Chicago – September, 1920) Eight Chicago White Sox players were indicted this week on charges that they conspired with gamblers on the 1919 World Series against Cincinnati. Among those charged were “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Ed Cicotte, Hap Felsch and Swede Risberg. All could spend 5 years in prison if convicted.

First Winter Olympics in France

(Chamonix, France – January, 1924) Scandinavians dominated the first winter games held here this week. Although winter sports had been included in some earlier Olympics of the modern era it was the first time it was designated as the official Winter Olympics. American, Charlie Jetraw won the speed skating championship for that country’s only gold medal. Jetraw incurred the wrath of fundamentalists and was later committed to a Colorado mental hospital for suggesting that man would someday make snow.

Gertrude Ederle Swims English Channel

(Cape Gris-Nez, France – August -1926) New Yorker Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel today accomplishing the feat faster than any of the men who have done it over the past 50 years. Her biggest delay came when customs officials in England insisted on interrogating her before allowing her to come on shore. After arriving at her hotel she told reporters, “Now I believe I’ll have a hot bath.”

Colorado Native, Dempsey, Loses Title Bid

(Chicago – September, 1927) The Manassa Mauler failed in his attempt to dethrone Gene Tunney and regain his heavyweight title tonight. Although Dempsey sent his competitor sprawling in the seventh round he failed to return to a neutral corner and lost five seconds in the knockout count.

Flagpole-sitter loves his job

(New York – August, 1929) Flag-pole sitting champion “Shipwreck” Kelly deserves his title “Luckiest Fool Alive” especially after 35 hours, 12 minutes and 40 seconds on a flag above the Flatiron Building on Fifth Avenue. Once the tallest building in the world at 20 stories the site is said to exhibit some of the strangest wind currents on record. Kelly, a former rodeo star from Norwood, Colorado says, “Nothin’ to it. He plans an industrial pole-sit above the Stock Exchange on October 24.