The Truth Behind My Name

Statue of the Babe from my recent trip to Camden Yards

One of the most common questions I hear, is "what does your name mean? Honusbabe. " I have heard many, many different and warped interpretations of the roots of my blog's name, and none are at all accurate, though the answer is quite simple.  If you break up my name, what do you get? Honus and Babe.  Do I need to further explain? Those two names have become synonymous with baseball, and thus, I pay tribute to them by naming my blog after Honus Wagner and Babe Ruth.  I could have gone with other greats like, Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson, or Lou Gehrig, but to be honest, I didn't feel they captured the entire spirit of the game. Wagner and Ruth set the tone and standards for baseball, as we know it.  Honus Wagner became that opponent you couldn't defeat, regardless of his stature, as he went on to become one of the best shortstops, literally.  The Flying Dutchman paved the way for height challenged middle infielders like Phil Rizzuto, Pee Wee Reese, and Dustin Pedroia, while providing spectators with a lovable, quality guy, easily baseball's first fan favorite. Then there is the most discussed and known player of all time, the man with more hype and nicknames, than Brian "The White Mamba"Scalabrine, the Babe. It is impossible to explain the Great Bambino's impact on baseball, as he helped begin a new era in baseball, giving the league a new beacon of hope, following the Black Sox Scandal, while revolutionizing the homerun in the cessation of the Dead Ball Era. The Sultan of Swat made baseball more than a game.  It became pop culture, making the players more than just Average Joe's, but true celebrities, through endorsements and on the field successes.  It was as likely to see a Ted Williams root beer advertisement as it was to see Uncle Sam, himself, recruiting men to serve in the army.  The King of Swing had probably more backstories than any other player, whether it was living up to his promises to hit a homerun for a sick boy, or his famous called shot in the 1932 World Series off Charlie Root.  The man became an urban legend. The mark left by Ruth was just like everything about him, big and unmatched, fitting his personality, stats, and pants size.

My name hasn't limited me to just baseball, I love all sports,  but baseball has always been my true love. And like I said before, I could have named this blog after anyone, but growing up, these two guys were always players I loved hearing and learning about.  For that reason, I have dedicated my blog to these two men to honor them for making baseball what it is today.