When Legends Collided: Ruth vs. Gehrig At West Haven's Donovan Field

After the 1928 World Series, New York Yankee legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig went on a barnstorming tour where the two regularly competed against each other. Babe Ruth’s “Bustin’ Babes” faced Lou Gehrig’s “Larrupin’ Lou’s” would be the teams of the two players who had a bitter rivalry over their careers.

During the 1928 barnstorming campaign, the two made their way to West Haven’s Donovan Field, which was named after former Yankees manager “WIld Bill” Donovan. West Haven was no stranger to baseball greats attending and even playing in games as the early 20th-century was the golden age for baseball along the Connecticut shoreline town.

The game at Donovan Field took place on October 12th, 1928, where thousands of fans came out to see the two baseball greats in person. Barnstorming was very common in both the regular and off seasons and West Haven was always a sought after location on the map for many teams who mainly wanted to face the powerful semi-pro West Haven Sailors. 

Ruth’s team won in a 7-0 shutout, with the Babe just being a double-shy from completing the cycle, which included a towering 500-foot home run. There are no surviving records to showcase Gehrig’s performance, but it has been said unofficially that Gehrig went 1-for-3 with a double.

Both Ruth and Gehrig were supposed to return to Donovan Field in 1934, but Gehrig dropped out at the last minute due to having dental work done. 

Ruth was a frequent attendee for Sailors games along with playing multiple exhibition games at Donovan Field in the 1920s and 30s.

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