Babe Ruth had a really weird nemesis | Baseball Bits

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Babe Ruth had a really weird nemesis. His name was Tommy Thevenow. Tommy Thevenow played for National League teams like the Phillies, Pirates, and Reds, but is probably best known for his Tommy Thevenow Cardinals years. Thevenow was the hero of the 1926 World Series Cardinals, coming through in the clutch in a series featuring names like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Rogers Hornsby, and Grover Cleveland Alexander, nicknamed Old Pete Alexander.
The big came moment from this series is when Alexander strikes out Lazzeri, but the Tommy Thevenow home run earlier in the series, as well as his clutch single in 1926 World Series Game 7, contributed to the win as well. And that win came at the expense of George Herman Babe Ruth. Babe Ruth had 714 career home runs. Tommy Thevenow had 2.
The pairing of Thevenow and Ruth would meet again nearly a decade later, this time during the Babe Ruth Boston Braves year of 1935. Babe Ruth crushed it at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh that day, hammering out his 712th, 713th, and Babe Ruth 714th home run. But the Tommy Thevenow Pirates still won the day thanks to a big triple from Babe Ruth rival, Babe Ruth kryptonite, Tommy Thevenow.
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Tommy Thevenow SABR bio: sabr.org/bioproj/person/tommy...
Soundtrack by William Kage: www.williamkage.com/

[@SummoningSalt]

Finally, some Duane Kuiper love on this channel

[@FoolishBaseball]

IT IS OUTTA HERE

[@mitchelvalentino1569]

Agreed. Dropped a like for the Kuiper love. 👍

[@Cynthionic]

​@@FoolishBaseball the goat home run call

[@regemusic33]

You can't hit the ball without swinging the bat, meat

[@aeneum6724]

It’s always funny seeing you in the comments here, two of my favorite channels in two entirely different genre

[@moatcozza]

That Tom Lawless bat flip is a work of art

[@FoolishBaseball]

legendary

[@jerrysmooth24]

mustache +5 Power

[@andrewhawkins6754]

@@FoolishBaseball Time for a batflip baseball bits?

[@ysl1272]

@@andrewhawkins6754 6:22

[@carlpacquing2575]

My favorite bat flip!

[@Coolquip43]

"The casting must've called for a big righty" Big chuckle from me on that one

[@ReidTheRulesGuy]

I didn't even get it until you called it out 😂

[@alkukayen4150]

There is something uniquely haunting about Babe Ruth's pixel art that terrifies me in a way nothing else can, thanks Mr. Baseball

[@FoolishBaseball]

you will see him in your dreams

[@jjaakk7214]

@@FoolishBaseball heroes get remembered, terrifying pixel likenesses never die

[@13donstalos]

Lmao why is this the truest thing ever

[@TooTuffSteven]

I love how Thevenow hit an inside the park home run solely because the fielder tripped over a rogue drain pipe in the middle of the field, that’s classic old-timey baseball, baby.

[@thomascourt4935]

Herb Pruett had success against Ruth that is almost unbelievable. From Robert Creamer's biography, The Babe,: "At this point Ruth had batted twelve times against Pruett and had struck out nine times, walked twice, and hit one measly tap to the mound." They met when Ruth was close to death and Pruett thanked Ruth for giving him enough of a baseball career to help him become a doctor: "I want to thank you for putting me through medical school. If it wasn't for you, no one would have ever heard of me." Ruth replied, "If I helped you get through medical school, I'm glad of it."

[@matbettez3495]

Dude great story!!

[@metalhammerm6903]

Love this!

[@BrowniesByTheLake]

We need a Baseball Bits on Bat Flips. That one from Tom Lawless is outrageous and I love it.

[@ogghost3258]

You’re one of the best baseball storytellers out there Bailey, thanks for inspiring my own work and articles over the past few years.

[@FoolishBaseball]

thanks for the kind words. i too have been inspired by many before me.

[@GooseGumlizzard]

theres a lot of great Baseball channels on youtube but not really for the other sports. At least not up to the same quality. Wonder why that is? I'd love a FB-style hockey channel i'd do nothing but watch that all day.

[@johnnymeredith1960]

Also, this story is tailor-made for this channel. I had no idea about this.

[@ajwootz8165]

​@@GooseGumlizzard you should look up pinholes graham, not the exact same stuff but very similar and great hockey content

[@armadillolover99]

@@GooseGumlizzard ​ The main reason there isn’t Baseball Bits type of content for hockey is that hockey statistics are so basic. Like the main analytic we have for the NHL is Corsi which just tracks the amount of shot attempts taken when a specific player is on the ice. There aren’t a lot of advanced hockey stats that tell you the little things a guy does or that you can spin to tell a story.

[@liamday453]

It is absolutely hilarious Javy Baez is on that strikeout list twice. Him and High Pockets Kelly are elite chokers

[@guardaxion]

Here for High Pockets Kelly slander in 2023

[@ezridaxsgender3914]

It is. Although it's doubly hilarious when you consider it didn't matter and his team won anyways. Cleveland on here 3 times for pitchers in game 7s they lost lolol

[@ezridaxsgender3914]

oh wait Cleveland is on here 4 times lol

[@cantripleplays]

Baez just swings at anything suprised he doesn’t strike out more in the regular season

[@butters1273]

The Babe hit his home runs with the help of... beers and hotdogs 🌭 🍺

[@FoolishBaseball]

that's right

[@butters1273]

@@FoolishBaseball omg!! Thanks for commenting! 😃 huge fan!!

[@SuperGnarWhales]

society if babe ruth had AG1

[@butters1273]

​@@SuperGnarWhales 😂 💀

[@elder.sasquatch.kamooh]

Babe Ruth and BJ Penn got zero time for cowards

[@robertnoeske6393]

This reminds me of Steve Jeltz (5 HR in 2041 PA from 1983-1990) who in 1989 hit 2 home runs in a game he didn't even start to defeat Barry Bonds and the Pirates 15-11. The pirates lead by 10 runs at one point. Another crazy story.

[@andrewhawkins6754]

Is that the one where the broadcasters had to walk back?

[@fries5849]

“Two fucking homeruns by fucking Steve Jelts… I’ve never seen anything like it” - Barry Bonds

[@robertnoeske6393]

@@andrewhawkins6754 that's the one

[@raishauntanner4206]

Secret Base classic

[@grantreill1966]

certified jon bois classic

[@RetroBaseball]

Bailey’s ad reads are on point today…

[@FoolishBaseball]

I love corporations!

[@WhatHappenedtoBaseball]

Foolish’s favorite corporation is Tesla

[@jessehammer123]

I’m reminded of Some More News’ AG1 ad reads. I wonder if they’re just more tolerant of silly ads for them.

[@QuartzGolem]

Being the best batter in a 7 game world series with a career -5 WAR that is held up from dropping off any further by being a decent fielder, is pretty nutty. Definitely an oddball story that deserves light shed upon it.

[@BaseballHistorian]

It’s cool that Foolish Bailey came in to do that AG1 spot for you, always nice to see a big KZbinr support the little guy

[@shanearnold7781]

8:43 There are two separate instances of Walter Johnson striking out High Pockets Kelly in the SAME GAME. That’s incredible, and High Pockets Kelly is an all time old school baseball name

[@ericstraley5255]

Was just about to comment this. Incredible name, and possibly even more incredible situation

[@JutiMayranen]

Urban Shocker is my goat name mut High Pockets Kelly is legit too! ;)

[@alistairbarkus]

his name is george, get more like Sad Sam

[@slewbear]

I love at 10:53 with all 3 guys running in the same direction at once. Looks weirdly comical.

[@maxober7591]

The casting call for a “Big righty” made me chuckle lol

[@Trillyana]

6:29 Scott Podsednik also hit a home run in the World Series after not hitting any in the regular season in 2005, and isn't a pitcher. But he had another one earlier that postseason.

[@aaronbuys]

And it was a walk off in extras!

[@CyberchaoX]

Yeah. The first one was literally leading off Game 1 of the ALDS. As a Red Sox fan, seeing the White Sox' leadoff man who hadn't homered all year put us in an immediate 1-0 hole, I knew we weren't repeating.

[@rawbones4117]

You should cover Ted Williams. Maybe predict how good he actually could've been - if he hadn't missed all those years at war... Hell you could do that with a number of players.

[@cbut_1727]

I honestly think he could’ve been unanimously considered the greatest hitter of all time had he not lost a couple years to military service.

[@rawbones4117]

@@cbut_1727 exactly. That's what I'm getting at. He lost a significant chunk of time and both times when he returned he was still unbelievably good. So it's not a big "eh would he have still been good" he was exceptional his entire career. He lost a few prime years of production that would've absolutely put him up there next to Ruth and Bonds in terms of ridiculousness. Even then he's still I'm the top offensive players regardless, but with those seasons he could easily be #1 or #2. He still has highest career OBP and was the last player to hit above .400 for a season. So you gotta wonder if he would've topped a few other all time stats? It's genuinely crazy how often he got on base considering how little he struck out throughout his career. Foolish commented on that aspect in his video on Joey Votto some years ago, but it could be a video entirely. What would that even look like?

[@nateeckman9633]

A Miles Straw reference is exactly what this channel needed thank you Mr. Foolish

[@patrickcunningham2747]

Good to see you back Bailey. Best vid's around! 👍

[@FoolishBaseball]

glad i'm back too!

[@josephtattum6365]

These videos are so good, and your writing has gotten so excellent dude.

[@FoolishBaseball]

thank you!

[@adanramirez3092]

Awesome video, I would love to see your analysis on Tony Gwynn and how insanely consistent his hitting was, as a padres fan I’d love to see you deep dive

[@WayneZzWorld93]

Scotty Pods hitting a walk-off homer in the Series after 0 in the regular season was something special in 2005.

[@larsonawitz]

it was glorious

[@ZacharyVogt]

I love baseball bits. And every time, I'm shocked at your knack for finding topics that I never knew, but more importantly are extremely fascinating. Every episode sets a new bar for how interesting historical numbers can be.

[@alex47927]

I loved this style! It was great to learn more about a time of baseball I don’t know a ton about - thanks!

[@rhyde]

Today I learned that Bailey and I have the same espresso machine. Best ad I’ve ever seen.

[@raddimusmcchoyber3362]

The early part of this video reminded me of Scott Podsednik’s 2005. No regular season homers, then 2 in post (including that wonderful walk off against the Astros).

[@genny_generic]

great video. amazing to see how much you have improved with both editing and pixel art, and yet stay so consistent with such fantastic storytelling

[@TheTEN24]

Love these old school stories, great video Bailey as always

[@HellomynameisDaddy]

Amazing video everytime this guy post it’s like a burst of knowledge I can extend to my baseball archives. Keep it up brother

[@cloudedbug30]

Such a talented storyteller, I got chills when you narrated the last part.

[@flatearthtruthband]

You have such a great storytelling skill. You’re awesome, Bailey!

[@MetaKoopa99]

In addition to the awesome storytelling, been loving the subtle music references in the level titles of these recent videos!

[@samuelbirkes9395]

The cardinals love on this channel is immaculate

[@scottmccutcheon2668]

Glad you've got you're channel back.

[@myaccount5204]

This channel is brilliant. The interesting stories and the comical presentation are perfect.

[@NikoCoy]

I always love stories like this. Legends of a certain sport and how there was one no-name guy who's likely to be remembered as just a name in a statbook who they could never figure out and overcome. It adds personality to the sport and makes you wonder what was so special about this guy specifically that this hall of famer couldn't just squash like the rest

[@nathancleary3190]

This might be the best baseball bits video yet but its hard to say that because they are nearly all so well done and comprable to each other. But I still think this one is special because of the fact he had to work with such little game footage, and just how obscure this little fragment of history is. The ending is among the more powerful in the series as well. Magnum Opus potential

[@IsYouAWizard]

Fantastic stuff as always Bailey, much love from a fellow Braves fan.

[@andlabs]

Baseball was very different when outfielders just kept tripping over drain pipes that were inexplicably just exposed on the field

[@FoolishBaseball]

That's how they got Mickey Mantle

[@etrain8885]

I really dig this one, Bailey. This one is up there with Locastro, Barajas, and the Evan Gattis video for me. Just love these cool stories about players I’ve never heard of

[@matthicksxx]

Great video as always, FB. Your vids are always so creative and interesting

[@djayk35]

Scott Podsednik also has hit a home run in the world series after hitting none in the regular season.

[@bearswin4]

Great video. Thanks for the content! ❤

[@weevie833]

Outstanding work, as always. Your vids are a "drop everything" event.

[@frankiefusco6155]

Absolutely fantastic as per usual

[@BM_718]

Awesome video man. Love your work.

[@frenchyfred1310]

Beyond your Major League research skills, you're a great storyteller. As someone who works in the internet business, I have to say you got something that most KZbinrs don't. Congrats Bailey! Awesome work again.

[@calebash7459]

I always love the old time baseball stories

[@booradley6832]

Grover Cleveland Alexander's feat was even more incredible since he was pitching against both Lazzeri and chronic alcoholism. Why SABR hasnt invented a statistical representation for that yet, I have no idea.

[@fishflake1209]

Old Pete was 39, and looked 69.

[@davee.dangerously9409]

Excellent Video. Thank you for that.

[@eyame9818]

And another Bailey W. Been loving these videos for years.

[@griffin5119]

I can’t believe I just watched a 13 minute video about Tommy Thevenow

[@dsilfvast]

Videos from this era aren’t usually my jam but this one is dope!

[@farrisovich]

Love your videos, some of the best baseball content on KZbin.

[@jimc.goodfellas226]

Glad you mentioned Arky

[@coolstufftodo5256]

This is one of the funniest videos you’ve ever put it it brought me so much joy

[@alextrivunovic644]

Baseball bits got me back into baseball.

[@dumpnchase]

Great video as always!

[@nogov2838]

"the casting call must've been for a big righty" that's good. good stuff. thank you foolish baseball, very cool!

[@jacobhill2081]

Tommy Thevenow (pronounced Tev-eh-naw) is my great uncle. He owned and operated a corner store in Madison, Indiana across the street from my dad's house until he died in the late 50s.

[@carteryoung5652]

Very good Bailey. Enjoyed the video, it made me happy made me smile.

[@FoolishBaseball]

thanks for the kind words!

[@Frostyiceyt]

best baseball channel,also great to see you back

[@jamesgordon7040]

First video I’ve ever watched of this channel. Seems like I’ll enjoy your vids as much as I enjoy the Baseball doesn’t exist channel. Which I will recommend for anyone who sees this. Has a great channel

[@Matts_Smirkingrevenge]

Epic pitch intro Bailey

[@RachelJade70]

The Ronald Regan joke was low-key hilarious

[@haloharley15]

"The Sultan of Swat and The Sultan of Not" gave me chills

[@jeremykim3]

Absolutely phenomenal video every time this guy posts it’s insane

[@FoolishBaseball]

thanks. taking my time helps

[@SteefPip]

I've been looking for the right one of your videos to introduce my Dad too. This feels like the right one because he grew up a Cardinals fan in the 40s and 50s. He was a big fan of Stan Musial, and we've been recently watching the Ken Burns Baseball documentary together and he's been annoyed that there hasn't been as much about the Cardinals as he would have liked. I think a suplement to the 1926 WS would be great, where the only thing they mentioned was Alexanders late game heroics while allegedly nursing a hangover and Babe Ruths failed stolen base.

[@Compucles]

Even the 10th Inning only covered the Cardinals by means of Mark McGwire. Nothing about La Russa's tenure in St. Louis, Pujols, the juggernauts of '04-'05 (save for their part in breaking the Red Sox curse), or the incredibly unlikely championship run of '06.

[@sailorjerry3720]

Well done!

[@lewdvlesh]

Thank you Bailey, very cool.

[@SuperKmanrocks]

I was binge watching your videos for the 100th time and got the new vid autoplayed as soon as it came out. It’s my lucky day

[@FoolishBaseball]

great timing

[@gosato]

Welcome back Bailey

[@brandonsheumaker2673]

Foolish, I can speak for a lot of the viewers when I say I love the joy you bring to your craft. Not only are you informative, showing that you've done an insane amount of deep research, but you put so much fun into the presentation that even non-baseball nerds can enjoy it. I have an idea for a video, and I think you'd be the perfect baseball creator to tackle it: One of the main counting stats of the current era of analytics is WAR, Wins Above Replacement. I've often wondered about the "replacement" part. Is it supposedly a mythical MLB ballplayer with exactly league average stats across the board, with average hitting, average defense, with a yearly WAR of 0.0? Okay, we accept that definition. Now, among ACTUAL players with a significant amount of innings played, plate appearances, or innings pitched, who most resembles that mythical "replacement" player (or pitcher)? I would think that that would be a different player every season, but have there been players who have been remarkably league-average every season? AKA, who is "Mr. Mediocrity"? I think that would be a lot of fun to discover. So instead of "Wins Above Replacement" we can then use "Wins Above Scott Brosius" or whomever. Whaddya think?

[@robg8203]

8:45 shoulda mentioned ole' Walter Johnson's 3 strikeouts on this list of most pivotal World Series strikeouts! The GOAT!

[@darrelleaster5381]

Amazing vid as usual FB! Although I’m still waiting on a Hank Aaron Baseball Bits. I will speak it into existence dang it!

[@FoolishBaseball]

Maybe some day!

[@connorohara1837]

Best add I’ve seen in a while

[@Alex-tm4th]

Got to hold one of babes game used bats today. Pretty dope.

[@fin8glr]

I realized Foolish Baseball has hit the big time with the AG sponsorship. Well deserved!

[@ZevAidikoff]

These are so great, I get sad when the video ends.

[@JayTemple]

I knew how the '26 Series ended, so I LOVED hearing about the player who recorded the out!

[@mysterioos]

Baseball Bits really makes you feel like baseball

[@Chandler-Giampietro]

Awesome video Bailey! Love all the vids. Scott Podsednik hit a homerun in the ALDS and hit a walk off homer in game 2 of the WS in 2005 without hitting a HR in the regular season. Just a lonely Sox fan looking for the rare Scotty Pods cameo!

[@Chandler-Giampietro]

Maybe you could do a least likely to be a postseason hero video, unless I missed that one!

[@MrRyan-wu4jx]

I believe FB was specifically mentioning players that never had a previous home run EVER prior to their postseason one, not just in the regular season that specific year.

[@TrickshotVariationz]

loved the vid!

[@Will-hc4xv]

Your parents have a very nice kitchen. I wish I grew up someplace like that! Great video, Bailey!

[@curtisbradley6397]

The fact that Javier Baez has the most pivotal strikeout of all time by cwpa just makes sense

[@benjaminaube7947]

On a bunt attempt. And the Cubs won anyway. Just baseball being baseball.

[@bensweetra4871]

Genuinely enjoyed watching the ad

[@StinkyPeterson]

Good video Bailey, keep it up.

[@FoolishBaseball]

thanks!

[@brendansouter4869]

New Foolish Baseball video, must watch.

[@FoolishBaseball]

that's right

[@Devon_Howell]

What a cool story! I’m a Cardinals fan and only know a couple of the stars from the Gas House Gang era, very cool to hear about one of the guys who wasn’t a star but who still played a major role in baseball history Edit: I had no idea there was a movie made about those Cardinals, and Reagan was in it too!

[@briannew6201]

The Gashouse Gang refers to the 1934 World Championship team with Dizzy Dean and Pepper Martin etc.

[@deepdrag8131]

Yeah. When you watch “The Winning Team” you see that the ‘26 team was not called “The Gashouse Gang” but a collection of “misfits, oddballs and has beens”

[@spunktaneouscumbustion8109]

That "I'm not drinking coffee" was about as convincing as a politician saying "I'm not lying" lol

[@dylancorson8181]

Keep up the good word Foolish!

[@FoolishBaseball]

Thank you!

[@HunterBNobles]

Duane Kuiper respect!!!!! Giants legend and Giants broadcasting legend

[@FoolishBaseball]

IT IS OUTTA HERE

[@SmoothCriminal12]

And MVP Baseball broadcasting legend

[@frenchfrey65]

I thought that name was familiar! Him and his whole family are in MVP Baseball 2005 XD!

[@HunterBNobles]

@@FoolishBaseball the Giants have the beat broadcast team in baseball, imo. Kuiper and Krukow are a great duo and on the radio side we have Jon Miller, who is up there in best announcers of all time, and Dave Flemming who already does so much stuff for ESPN as well

[@johnwhitworth679]

The Babe old fishing 🎣 cabin is up the street from me ❤

[@eglizabeth4336]

8:38 "the casting call must've been for a big righty" lmao

[@A_Baguette_]

yay more bits

[@azanocegrog748]

As a Cards fan Its awesome to see all the history of my team. Were arguably the most storied franchise in the league not including the Yankees. Go Cards!

[@maximehamelin156]

Great vidéo!

[@JurassicParker13]

Awesome video. Would love to see something about Jimmy Wynn but don’t know the storyline. He’s just super under appreciated!!