BLOG.ROBFITTS.COM: Recent Comments

Comment on December 1, 1934

Richard Leutzinger — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:04:03 GMT

Rob, a truly wonderful account of the Americans' 1934 tour. I look forward to reading Banzai Babe Ruth.

Comment on November 24, 1934

Rob Fitts — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:46:34 GMT

I'll be happy to continue through the stops in China

Comment on November 24, 1934

Jason Pan — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:06:36 GMT

Hi Rob,

Excellent game-by-game account, following the American all-stars who took their game to the different cities for the Japanese fans.

Lots of fascinating archival details of what went on during this 1934 tour. It's of tremendous interest to students and scholars of both American and Japanese baseball.

Thanks for the reply - that afterwards, the American All-Stars headed for Hong Kong, then put on a game in Shanghai (on Dec. 6th).

Many people, myself included, also would be much interested to read up on this (if you have written up on it) - it's part of the early history for baseball in China...

-Jason Pan, Taiwan

Comment on November 11, 1934

Tom O'Doul — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:20:21 GMT

This is correct. I will have to wait for the book. Ruth is the one who brought the fans out to the games. When O'Doul was in Japan in 1931, all the Japanese wanted to see Ruth. O'Doul returned several more times to Japan and brought the 1949 San Francisco Seals on a "Goodwill Tour" to mend relations after the war.

Comment on November 11, 1934

Rob Fitts — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:00:48 GMT

In response to your comment, I will say yes … and no.

Readers of Banzai Babe Ruth will learn that the 1934 tour was organized by Sotaro Suzuki, then working for the Yomiuri Shimbun, and Frank “Lefty” O’Doul. O’Doul was responsible for putting together the All American roster. Without O’Doul’s hard work it is unlikely that Babe Ruth would have agreed to come to Japan. O’Doul stayed on after the tour to help create the Japanese professional baseball league and the franchise that would become the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants (Yomiuri took the nickname Giants to honor O’Doul as he had played for the New York Giants the previous season). For these reasons, and others, O’Doul was enshrined in the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame and is sometimes called the “Father of Japanese Pro Baseball.”

During the 1934 tour, however, O’Doul did not play but coached. National League owners forbade their players from participating and O’Doul was still “owned” by the New York Giants. It was Babe Ruth who brought the fans to the ballparks and created the enthusiasm needed to sustain a successful professional league.

For more on this topic and Lefty O’Doul’s and Babe Ruth’s roles in Japanese-American international relations, you’ll have to wait for the book.

Comment on November 11, 1934

Tom O'Doul — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:11:36 GMT

Get your facts correct!! Frank O'Doul is the father of baseball in Japan. Ruth was just a guest in 1934. O'Doul is responsible for pro baseball in Japan. Not Ruth.

Comment on November 9, 1934

Rob Fitts — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:51:42 GMT

Yes. After the All Americans left Japan, they stopped in Hong Kong, played a game in Shanghai on December 6 and two more in Manila (December 9 and 10).

Comment on November 9, 1934

Jason Pan — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:40:19 GMT

Hi Rob,

Thanks for tracking the history of the 1934 Tour in Asia.

These are fascinating stories with valuable black-and-white photographs, as authentic documentation and records to remember that of a long by-gone era. Keep up the good work.

By the way, just for clarification - Did the American All-Star team visit parts of China on this 1934 tour ? I would be interested to know...

- Jason Pan, Taiwan

Comment on Welcome

Richard Leutzinger — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:57:12 GMT

Great stuff, Rob. Wonderful detail and photos. I look forward to each day's posting.