Pulitzer Prize Analysis

      Known as the "Sultan of Swat," Babe Ruth was more than simply a baseball player. He was a captivating character in baseball whose accomplishments went beyond the field, a national hero, and a representation of American sportsmanship. Ruth was loved by individuals from many walks of life and was not just popular among baseball enthusiasts. The Pulitzer Prize-winning photo caught the public's acceptance of their hero's aging and mortality at a pivotal point in American history.

To put things in perspective, Babe Ruth began his Major League Baseball career in 1914 as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. On the mound, he quickly demonstrated an uncommon blend of strength and precision. Nonetheless, his rise to prominence began when he changed into a powerful outfielder. A deal that changed baseball history forever involved Ruth, who was acquired by the New York Yankees in 1919. The New York Yankees' dynastic era began during Ruth's stay there. He broke several records while leading the squad to four World Series victories. He became a national icon and a symbol of the Roaring Twenties because of his incredible home run hitting and captivating personality. It is impossible to overestimate Babe Ruth's cultural influence and larger-than-life personality in addition to his on-field accomplishments. He became a symbol of the tenacity of the American people throughout the Great Depression, offering solace and hope to a country in disarray.

On June 13, 1948, at Yankee Stadium in New York City, Ruth's number was retired. It was one of the earliest formal retirements of a player's number in baseball history. Ruth's tremendous 15-year career with the New York Yankees was honored and recognized with the retirement of his number three jersey. Nathan Fein took the picture I've chosen to examine, which was shot during the retirement ceremony.

Analytically speaking, the picture depicts a weak Ruth in front of a packed Yankee Stadium for a generation that grew up idolizing him. The picture demonstrates how, after years of inactivity in the MLB, Ruth was still able to draw large crowds to see him. The picture is well composed, showcasing Ruth, the youthful Yankee players, and the packed stands. Fein wasn't even supposed to take the picture. Fein wasn't going into the job blind; his expertise was human-interest photography, and he occasionally covered athletic events for the well-known newspaper known as the Trib. Nat Fein was notified early on June 13, 1948, that he would have to cover for a sports photographer who had phoned in unwell. Fein utilized a 4x5 Graflex Speed Graphic, the go-to camera for photojournalists and war correspondents for the majority of the early to mid-20th century.

Personally, I grew up with my dad, a proud Brooklynite who grew up admiring Babe Ruth and all of the iconic Yankees through the years. Due to my connection to the New York baseball scene from my childhood, I grew up to be a huge baseball fan. Even in 2023, Babe Ruth will be one of the most iconic players to ever step on a baseball field.