History hits home: 3rd annual Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Home Run Derby honors Kirby Park legend

On October 10, a crowd gathered in Wilkes-Barre to commemorate Babe Ruth's legendary home run from 1926. The event, now in its third year, honored the man behind the powerful swing, known as the Sultan of Swat. According to historical accounts, Ruth hit a 650-foot home run from Artillery Park into Kirby Park. Ruth played for the Yankees, Red Sox, and Braves during his 22-season career, achieving a .342 batting average, 714 home runs, and a lifetime total of 2,214 RBIs.

He won seven World Series titles and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. The event, organized by Visit Luzerne County and the City of Wilkes-Barre, aimed to celebrate this iconic moment and raise funds for the Geisinger Children's Miracle Network/Janet Weiss Children's Hospital. Tom Stevens, Ruth's grandson, shared insights into his grandfather's personal life, describing him as a family-oriented, superstitious, and highly punctual individual.

Stevens also highlighted Ruth's love for learning, despite his limited formal education, and his dedication to humanitarian causes. The day's festivities included the City vs. County Babe Ruth Trophy Game, the Home Run Derby, and the unveiling of a new historical marker marking the exact location where Ruth's record-breaking home run landed.