In 1926: living at the edge of time - Monoskop

BARS
More perhaps than his batting average of .372, his forty-seven home
runs, and his one hundred forty-five RBIs, Babe Ruth's ostentatious
enjoyment of the sensuous side of life impresses the fans. [see Stars] He
is an exception to the rule that obliges great athletes to pay the price of
asceticism for their outstanding performance. A stanza sung in the Babe's
honor at a festive dinner of the New York Baseball Writers does not need
to mention his records as a slugger [see Boxing, Dancing]:
I wonder where my Babe Ruth is tonight?
He grabbed his hat and coat and ducked from sight.
I wonder where he'll be
At half past two or three?
He may be at a dance or in a fight.
He may be at some cozy roadside inn.
He may be drinking tea-or maybe gin.
I know he's with a dame,
I wonder: what's her name?
I wonder where my Babe Ruth is tonight?
(Ritter and Rucker, 135)
Everybody likes to see Babe Ruth breaking all the rules, especially the
rules of Prohibition. Everybody also knows that he frequents "cozy
roadside inns," and that he greatly prefers a glass of gin to a cup of tea.
34