Home Run Derby, 1942 edition

Babe Ruth batting against Walter Johnson 84 years ago today

In a matchup of retired Hall of Famers, former Washington pitcher Walter Johnson pitches to New York’s Babe Ruth in a mano-a-mano exhibition 84 years ago today at Yankee Stadium.

The contest consists of 17 pitches, only a couple of which Ruth – then 47 years old – hits out of the ballpark against the 54-year-old Johnson.

No matter.

The exhibition before a Sunday afternoon crowd of 69,136 in the Bronx raises approximately $80,000 to benefit those in the Armed Services.

The appearances of Ruth and Johnson, as well as their fundraising efforts, dwarf that afternoon’s doubleheader, which the Yankees split with Washington.

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