The Bradley Beach Historical Society (BBHS) will commemorate the 100th anniversary of a historic Babe Ruth barnstorming game with a special community event on Sunday, October 11, from 4 to 6 PM, at the Bradley Beach Fire Dept. Banquet Hall.
Historian and author Glenn Cashion will be a featured speaker at the event. In addition to his father being the umpire for the game, the Cashin family played a major role in baseball in Freehold. His book on the history of baseball in Freehold will be available for sale at the event, ad will be available for autographing by the author.
Bradley Beach Mayor Al Gubitosi, a Negro Leagues enthusiast and memorabilia collector, will also be featured at the event. Mayor Gubitosi will discuss the importance of the Royal Giants, along with the rich history of the Negro Leagues and their use of the Bradley Beach Ball Park.
Bradley Beach Society member Refet Kaplan will also be featured and will speak to the broader history and traditions of barnstorming tours in the 1920s.
The event will offer firsthand storytelling and historical presentations, along with details of a memorabilia collector’s offer of a $10,000 reward . That reward is for a photo of Ruth at the game that helps authenticate a specific bat believed to have been used during his 1926 barnstorming tour.
Collectors, amateur baseball historians and members of the public are invited to search archives, attics and local collections for images from the game, which took place against an elite team of black players, the Brooklyn Royal Giants, just a day after Ruth’s New York Yankees lost the 1926 World Series.
“This is a chance for our community to reconnect with an incredible piece of history that unfolded right here in Bradley Beach,” said Paul Neshamkin, president of the Bradley Beach Historical Society. “Ruth’s barnstorming tours, and the Negro Leagues teams who played alongside and against him, are an important and overlooked part of baseball history. We’re excited to bring this story to light.”
Admission is $10 per person; children 12 and under are free. Traditional ballpark refreshments of hot dogs, sodas and peanuts will be provided.
Proceeds support the Bradley Beach Historical Society’s ongoing preservation and educational programming. Registration is available at bbhistory.org.
For further information, contact Paul Neshamkin at paul@bbhistory.org
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Also fondly remembered were Monsignor Michael J. Walsh, also a former pastor and a Director of the high school. Monsignor Walsh died earlier this month; the Committee noted that “as pastor of St. Mary’s and director of Mater Dei, Father Mike strengthened our community of faith through his own steadfast example, nurturing students, supporting faculty and staff and welcoming alumni. He embodied kindness and compassion in all he did. Proud of his Irish heritage and devoted to the Blessed Mother, Father Mike was a long time supporter of this annual Mass and served as its celebrant on several occasion. May he rest in peace of God and remain forever in our hearts. Also fondly remembered were Monsignor Michael J. Walsh, also a former pastor and a Director of the high school. Monsignor Walsh died earlier this month; the Committee noted that “as pastor of St. Mary’s and director of Mater Dei, Father Mike strengthened our community of faith through his own steadfast example, nurturing students, supporting faculty and staff and welcoming alumni. He embodied kindness and compassion in all he did. Proud of his Irish heritage and devoted to the Blessed Mother, Father Mike was a long time supporter of this annual Mass and served as its celebrant on several occasion. May he rest in peace of God and remain forever in our hearts. Also fondly remembered were Monsignor Michael J. Walsh, also a former pastor and a Director of the high school. Monsignor Walsh died earlier this month; the Committee noted that “as pastor of St. Mary’s and director of Mater Dei, Father Mike strengthened our community of faith through his own steadfast example, nurturing students, supporting faculty and staff and welcoming alumni. He embodied kindness and compa
