Coming across old photographs of baseball players and teams is always a gem. They are a rare treat for baseball history fanatics and are a piece of sports history. The photographs are often rare because not many of them are archived, but when one finally surfaces, it’s the talk of the town. And when talking about baseball history, one can not ignore undisputed MLB legend, Babe Ruth.
However, recently a decades-old film photograph of a member of the “Citizens baseball team” has resurfaced. Throwing it back to the days of the biggest ballplayer in the world, who tipped the scales at a whopping 450lbs. This discovery is certainly a rare treat for baseball history buffs and a reminder of the larger-than-life characters that once graced the ballpark.
Decades-old photo is being compared to Big Al and Babe Ruth
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On Twitter, a baseball fan page that posted the photograph, captioned it with “450 lbs. Probably crushed some baseball.”
The player in the photograph has donned a ‘citizen’ uniform and has set Twitter ablaze with comparisons to “Big Al” the 12-year-old little leaguer who achieved national fame a few years ago with his iconic words, “Hi, my name is Alfred Delia. At home they call me Big Al, and I hit dingers,” in an ESPN promo video.
READ MORE: Babe Ruth Carved Into His Iconic Bat After Games – Here’s Why
Fans have been reminded of Big Al upon seeing the photograph and are eagerly reminiscing about it by comparing the player in the photo with Big Al who “hits dingers” out of the park.
I’m just here to hit dingers and have a good time
— Tom DeMerit (@TomDeMerit) January 15, 2023
I’m big Al and I hit dingers!
— Doug Davis (@DougDavis66) January 15, 2023
Led Little League World Series that year in dingers @ Cooperstown!
— Seanyman (@seanyman59) January 15, 2023
Some compared him to Babe Ruth, who was an iconic player at the same time period, with one fan saying, “Could give Babe Ruth a run for his money at the hot dog stand.”
Could give Babe Ruth a run for his money at the hotdog stand.
— DRW (@HopsMonster) January 15, 2023
Haters say that wasn’t babe Ruth
— Bot (@EZRanker) January 15, 2023
I believe Babe Ruth was, at the most, 260 during his playing days, but good grief, this is a side of beef.
— El D. Avant (@TheArtOfDean) January 15, 2023
For anyone that says Ty Cobb or Babe Ruth are the greatest baseball players ever, show them this photo
— Have you 👀my ⚾️? 🌭➕Beans (@WarrensBaseball) January 15, 2023
Notably, Ruth was a dream player for any clubhouse in Major League Baseball during his playing days. But at times, the late Yankees legend was also heavily criticized for being overweight. And that is probably the only thing that made baseball fans compare him to the above-mentioned 450 lbs baseball player.
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The early time-period of baseball
There is little to no information about the player or the citizen’s baseball team. It is also unclear when the photograph was taken, the only hint to the time period is the somewhat sepia-toned appearance and the warm brownish monochromatic hue of the photograph – which is likely of film photographs taken during the early to the mid-20th century.
WATCH THIS STORY: From Babe Ruth To Derek Jeter: New York Yankees Legends Who’s Jersey Number Has Been Retired
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This period in time also marked the rise of legendary baseball players. One of which was Babe Ruth, who set many records and helped popularize the game. In terms of teams, the New York Yankees dominated the American League, winning pennants and World Series in several seasons. There are a few early photographs of the Bombino as well on the internet. In one of them, he is knocked down to the ground.
Old baseball photographs certainly feel like treasures that are unearthed from the ground. Wonder which social media photograph will throw at us next?