CityView Magazine

38 Februar y 2022 O n March 7, 1914, Babe Ruth hit his first home run in professional baseball at the old ballpark on Gillespie Street in downtown Fayetteville. My friend, the late Maurice Fleishman, vividly recalled having served as batboy on that eventful day. He had the honor of measuring the distance of Ruth's first home run. Only 12 at the time, Fleishman saw the ball fly 135 yards and land in nearby Mallett's Mill Pond. On that historic day, Fayetteville residents crowded into the old Cape Fear Association grandstand on Gillespie Street, where they saw 18-year-old George Herman Ruth Jr., who was the youngest player on the Baltimore Orioles team. It was in this park that he was referred to as "Babe in the Woods" and later, "Babe" Ruth. While Babe Ruth stayed with the Orioles in the LaFayette Hotel on Hay Street, he oen enjoyed riding the hand-operated elevator that carried him from the ground floor to the fourth floor. An historical monument is now located on Gillespie Street not far from the old ballpark. FAYETTEVILLE HISTORY A visit from the Babe BY WEEKS PARKER We hope you enjoy this recurring feature by history buff Weeks Parker, who owns an impressive collection of local memorabilia and photos that he has agreed to share with CityView readers. A former Presbyterian Ju- nior College Band Director, Parker is the author of 12 books on a variety of subjects including "Fayetteville, North Carolina: A Pictorial History." In this 1952 photo, Claire Ruth, wife of the late Babe Ruth, waves as she approaches the old stadium where her famed husband hit his first home run in professional baseball. She was in town for a salute to Babe Ruth held April 13, 1952. Fayetteville citizens crowded into the old Cape Fear Association grandstand on Gillespie Street, where they saw 18-year-old George Herman Ruth Jr., who was the youngest player on the Baltimore Orioles team.

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