Dispatch 13

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Backstory: Bull Crews

Harold “Bull” Crews and his holdout in Florida are based on Babe Ruth’s 1930 Florida holdout.
     Ruth had been the highest paid player in baseball dating back to 1922, when his $52,000 paycheck more than than doubled Ty Cobb’s $25,000. In February 1930, Ruth, then making $70,000 a year, rejected a 2-year, $75,000-a-year contract and threatened to retire unless the Yankees gave him a 3-year, $85,000-a-year deal. The Yankees’ manager and owner said it wasn't right to risk that much on the uncertainties of baseball, and Ruth in particular.
     Vacationing in Palm Beach, Ruth told reporters the Yankees should be paying him $175,000. During the winter, he said, he had rejected easy money in vaudeville and “talking pictures” to keep himself in shape. He said outside interests guaranteed him $25,000 a year in royalties and dividends if he never played another inning. Among the newest offers: being the MC for the circus.
     A month later, the Bambino signed a 2-year deal for $80,000 a year – about a million and a half in today’s dollars. The 80 grand was $5,000 more than what President Herbert Hoover made. Ruth later would quip, "I had a better year."
     BONUS: Bull Crews’ last name is an indirect nod to a Florida legend in the arts. Send us the answer!

Talks

March 1, 4 pm: Hypocrite’s Row Launch! Books and Books, Coral Gables
March 11, 5:30 pm: Talking Hypocrite’s Row and Prohibition in Fla at Historical Society of Palm Beach County
March 13, 2 pm: Talking Hypocrite’s Row and Prohibition in Fla at Historical Society of Martin County, Elliott Museum
March 14, 2 p.m.: Talking Hypocrite’s Row and Prohibition in Florida at Miami Pioneers and Natives of Dade.
March 17, 6 pm: Talking Hypocrite’s Row and Prohibition in Florida at Boca Raton Historical Society
March 18, 2pm: Talking Hypocrite’s Row and Prohibition in Florida at Palm Beach County Library, Hagen Road Branch
March 18, 6:30 p.m.: Talking Hypocrite’s Row and Prohibition in Florida at Mandel Public Library, West Palm Beach
March 26, 6 pm: Talking Hypocrite’s Row and Prohibition in Florida at Boca Raton Library
April 4, 1 pm: Talking Hypocrite’s Row and Prohibition in Florida at HistoryMiami.
April 15, 2 pm: Talking Hypocrite’s Row and Prohibition in Florida at Deerfield Beach Historical Society
May 12, 6 p.m: Talking Hypocrite’s Row and Prohibition in Florida at Delray Beach Historical Society
Sept. 27, 1 p.m: Talking Hypocrite’s Row and Prohibition in Florida at Hollywood Historical Society
Nov. 22: Look for me at the Miami Book Fair street fair!

Click to watch videos:
The Real Hypocrite’s Row
Haulover Inlet

Learn the stories behind Hypocrite’s Row: https://t.co/aiSbJNnSYA
Watch more Hypocrite’s Row Videos: https://tinyurl.com/bddd69cp

See you on the beat!