One hundred three years ago, in 1919, Babe Ruth hit his historic home run over the right field fence at Muzzy Field. The ball was never found, and legend had it that the ball landed in the Pequabuck River, floating away into history.

Many intrepid explorers searched for that ball, but it seemingly was lost forever.

But just today, Saturday, August 13, 2022, the ever-resourceful photographer for our own Bristol Edition, Johann Itzkramp, discovered the legendary baseball on the bank of the Pequabuck near the Rockwell swimming pool.

If you look carefully, you will notice that Mr. Ruth almost knocked the cover off the ball. The ball is being delivered on Monday to Cooperstown for authentication. It’s estimated worth was $6.77 in 1919, but has increased over the century to $22.33.

Mr. Itzkramp has pledged to donate the money to the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame.

All TBE readers, supporters and donors     

The Bristol Edition will be limiting the number of stories non-members and free readers may access each week. This decision is based on our financial projections and, most certainly, to remind people that TBE is serious about providing accurate, timely and thorough reporting for Bristol. To do this we have devised a financial support structure that makes unlimited access extremely affordable, beginning with a $6 monthly donation.     

• Non-members will be able to access five (5) articles per week.     
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• Donors and financial supporters will have no limits.     

Note: Donors may have to contact TBE if they find they are being limited, since we will need to set up a membership account for you. Email editor@bristoledition.org for instructions. Sorry for any inconvenience. People with financial difficulties may write editor@bristoledition.org to be considered for free access.