June 12, 2009

Ruth, Dunn and Bentley

Jack Dunn (middle) is best known for his exploits as a minor league owner. Both Babe Ruth (left) and Jack Bentley (right) were Dunn findings. Ruth, in fact, owes his famous nickname partly to Dunn: After Dunn sold the young star to Boston, Ruth’s teammates called him “Dunn’s $10,000 Babe.” Bentley, like Ruth, was a minor league star as a batter and pitcher, but he never enjoyed great success in his nine-year major league career.

Photograph from the Library of Congress, with no know restrictions on use.