Babe Ruth bat mystery part of centennial fest for Bradley Beach game

The Babe Ruth bat mystery will be explored at the Babe in Bradley Beach: Centennial Celebration taking place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, at the Bradley Beach Fire House. Ruth started a barnstorming tour in Bradley Beach on October 11, 1926, at what is now known as Coast Linen Services on Sixth Avenue and Memorial Drive.

During the game, Ruth's team lost to the Brooklyn Royal Giants of the Eastern Colored League 3-1. A collector in Indiana has a bat he believes originated from that barnstorming tour and needs a picture of Babe Ruth holding it to authenticate it. The collector is offering a $10,000 reward for such a photograph. Ruth was late for the 1926 game, having driven down in a new car given to him by the Yankees.

He stopped by the home of Johnny Sylvester and sent him a baseball with a message to knock a homer for him during the World Series. Ruth hit three home runs against the Cardinals in Game 4. The 1942 movie "The Pride of the Yankees" and the 1992 film "The Babe" featured Ruth on Johnny's post-World Series visit to the game.