Babe & the Kid: The Legendary Story of Babe Ruth and Johnny Sylvester

By Charlie Poekel and Julia Ruth Stevens

On the eve of game four of the 1926 World Series, Ruth heard that a young New Jersey boy, Johnny Sylvester, was laid up with a deadly illness. Ruth autographed a ball for Johnny, inscribing it, "I'll knock a homer for you in Wednesday's game-Babe Ruth." The rest was history. Ruth delivered on his promise, and Johnny made a miraculous recovery. In Babe & the Kid, author Charlie Poekel traces the story behind the sensational headlines. Picking up in the aftermath of Ruth's incredible feat, he follows Johnny's remarkable life story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The History Press
• Release date: Oct 19, 2007
• ISBN: 9781614230960

Charlie Poekel

Charlie Poekel is a former member of the New Jersey State Historical Commission, having been twice appointed by Governor Christine Todd Whitman. He currently serves on the Board of Managers of the Sons of the Revolution, which owns the Fraunces Tavern Museum in New York City. He is a trustee of the Elisha Kent Kane Historical Society, chairman of the Essex Fells, New Jersey History Committee and is a member of the Society for American Baseball Research. In 1976 he was honored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as an Outstanding Young Man of America. He holds a BA degree from the George Washington University and a JD degree from the Washington College of Law of the American University. He is a practicing attorney and a member of the Bar in New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia. Charlie Poekel is the author of West Essex and a contributing author to the Encyclopedia of New Jersey. He is married to the former Lynn Giordano. They have three children, Charles III, Will and Patty, and they divide their time between homes in Manhattan, Essex Fells, New Jersey, and Marion, Massachusetts.

Reviews for Babe & the Kid

[lpmejia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I’m not a big baseball fan. I can admit that. I love history though, and like nearly every other American I’m a sucker for pop culture. Most of us tend to think of celebrity in terms of what Paris Hilton wore last week, but this story reminded me of a time when doing something nice instead of something stupid was what got lots of publicity. Babe & the Kid tells the story of Babe Ruth and his enduring friendship with a young boy during and after the 1926 World Series. The kid, Johnny Sylvester, was seriously ill when a kind gesture by the most popular pro ballplayer of his day literally made the difference between life and death. What I found most interesting was the fact that their friendship endured for years afterwards, a testament to Ruth’s character. His visit and gift weren’t a publicity stunt staged for the camera, but the genuine actions of a true hero.Poekel has done a fine job of researching the facts related to an iconic story in American sports. Especially welcome were the numerous photographs and memorabilia he was given access to through the collection of John Sylvester, Jr., who maintains the scrapbook his father kept of his extraordinary friendship with some of the leading athletes of his day. The book is well-written, an easy and accessible read, and thoroughly enjoyable.

[aharey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the story of Babe Ruth and his connection with a sick boy, Johnny Sylvester, during and after the 1926 World Series. This is a charming story, told in such way that it makes the reader feel like they are actually at the World Series. It brought to life the players of Murderers' Row, the Cardinals, as well as Red Grange of football and others. Though the majority of the story involves the World Series, and Babe Ruth pledging to hit a homer for Johnny (and ended up hitting four), it continues the story of Johnny as he grows up. I highly recommend this story to baseball lovers anywhere.