Baseball History: The Murderers Row Exhibition Game

by Zoee Flores Riggio, Intern, SJC Historical Museum

On October 24, 1927, Stockton, California, played host to an extraordinary baseball event when New York Yankees Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, two of the most celebrated figures in baseball history, took the field at Oak Park (renamed Billy Hebert Field in 1953) for a special exhibition game. Ruth and Gehrig had completed a historic season with the Yankees by winning the World Series, and Gehrig had just been named the American League’s Most Valuable Player of 1927. Organized as a benefit for the Stockton Knights of Columbus Christmas charity fund, this event at Oak Park brought the excitement of Major League Baseball to the local community. Fans experienced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness two members of Murderers Row, the nickname used for the first six hitters on the Yankees 1927 team lineup.

The game was part of a post-season tour orchestrated by Christy Walsh, Ruth’s and Gehrig’s manager, to bring the baseball stars to cities across America. Stockton was chosen after a telegram from Walsh confirmed the players’ availability. The event provided a unique chance for the city’s residents to see their idols up close, and it marked a high point in Stockton’s sports history.

For Stockton, this game was a community celebration. Anticipation for Ruth’s and Gehrig’s arrival was palpable. The mayor, Raymond J. Wheeler welcomed the pair at Hotel Wolf, followed by a luncheon hosted by the Stockton High Twelve Club at the Masonic Temple. Over 3,000 fans packed Oak Park to witness the spectacle, many of them children for whom the chance to meet the baseball icons was unforgettable. The game also included special moments such as a raffle for a baseball autographed by Ruth and Gehrig and a meet-and-greet for fans.

The exhibition pitted two semi-pro teams, the Bustin’ Babes led by Ruth and the Larrupin’ Lous led by Gehrig, against each other. Both stars played first base for their teams. Before the game, Ruth and Gehrig treated fans to a batting exhibition. By the end of the second inning, the Bustin’ Babes were leading 9-0. While the outcome of the game was secondary to the experience, the sheer joy of seeing Ruth and Gehrig in action left a lasting impression on the fans.

Almost 100 years later, we are proud to have our own record-setting New York Yankee, Linden’s Aaron Judge!