On this day, Jan. 22, in 1927, Babe Ruth was arrested for violating child labor laws. His crime: inviting children onstage to be part of his act. The Sultan of Swat was in Long Beach, Calif., to perform a show where he invited kids to the stage, offered a few batting tips, and then handed them each an autographed baseball.
Long Beach police accused the Bambino of violating child labor laws by allowing children onstage without a permit for them.
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Ruth posted bail with 25 crisp $20 bills. He failed to show up for his court appearance, but the whole deal just fizzled out.
Ruth went on to have his most memorable year, hitting a record 60 home runs during the Murderers’ Row season of the New York Yankees.
– Scott McCabe
