Description:
This photograph features a rare color image of Babe Ruth suiting up at Yankee Stadium for the last time. June 13, 1948 was Ruth’s final appearance at Yankee Stadium. Ruth’s #3 uniform was retired during this appearance, which was also the 25th anniversary of Yankee Stadium, known as “The House That Ruth Built.” Ruth died of throat cancer at age 53, shortly after this photograph was taken. Since LIFE Magazine only published one page of color pictures in 1948, the magazine did not print this photograph. This image was first seen on a 2002 HBO television special about famous sports photos, but this is the first time this photograph has been printed.