“The loudest boos always come from the cheapest seats.” — Babe Ruth

This quote may have come after he had five hits off of the Cleveland pitcher, Mel Harden in Cleveland.

Years later, at an old-timer’s game, he asked Harden if he remembered. Harden just smiled. The Babe said, “I went five for five off you, all line drives to left field, and the fans booed the hell out of me.”

George Herman “Babe” Ruth, a Catholic boy, was born February 6, 1895, and raised in a Catholic Boys Reformatory. He is one of the most famous athletes in American history.

He was a great baseball player and one of the most admired and entertaining characters during his lifetime.

In his peak, his salary was more than the president of the United States. When asked what he thought about making more than the president, he answered, “I should! I do a better job than him.”

He loved the game and said that baseball is the only real game in the world.

On Sunday, June 13, 1948, the Yankees celebrated the 25th anniversary of Yankee Stadium. Babe Ruth walked slowly to the microphone, spoke briefly and said how proud he was to have hit the first home run in the stadium.

He thanked his teammates and the people who were a big part of his life. He played in 2,503 games, scored 2,174 runs, stole 123 bases and hit 714 home runs.

My granddaughter, Monique Roth, prompted me to write this article, when on Instagram she referred to Babe Ruth’s quote and added the following:   

“Months ago, my pastor shared this quote and it’s replayed in my head many times since. It’s made me realize that I’m so thankful for the people in my life who have invested in the good seats. The people who haven’t left when I didn’t perform the way that wanted me to … the people who believe I (and my marriage and my family) can excel and want to stick around and cheer us on. There’s no real investment in the cheap seats, so why invest anymore in the people who pick them?”

In life, as in baseball, maybe we should pay attention to those who contribute the most.

If you have any questions or comments, please write Harold Keller at Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA70084, call 985-652-8477 or email hkeller@comcast.net.