Babe Ruth Editor’s note: It has been argued – most notably by Spike Lee – that Babe Ruth, not Jackie Robinson, was the first Black Major League Baseball player. In his forthcoming book, “The Bambino Secret,” author J. Anderson Cross reveals new evidence that proves the hypothesis. As Yankee Stadium (The House That Ruth Built) prepares to close for good later this month, Cross’ book figures to stir a ton of controversy.
By Jordan Bucher
OMAHA, Nebraska – Babe Ruth’s legacy in Yankee Stadium will be celebrated for the last time later this month as the famous baseball stadium closes its doors forever. It may come as a surprise, however, to learn that one of America’s greatest heroes carried a long-held secret. Ruth was part Black – thus invalidating Jackie Robinson as the first African American Major League Baseball player. At least that’s the theory behind J. Anderson Cross’ recent historical novel, “The Bambino Secret.”
“Babe Ruth played baseball during a time when African Americans were not allowed to play sports,” Cross said. “There is no way the American public would have accepted him during that time period if they knew he was part Black. The Yankee team businessmen knew this. They also knew that they needed Babe Ruth and would have done anything to make sure that he continued to play the game, even hide his heritage. He was a superhero to fans. He revolutionized the game and drew huge crowds in an era when television money was unavailable.”
Based on the true story of Babe Ruth, the mystery of “The Bambino Secret” begins 70 years after Babe Ruth’s time, when a young, naive attorney and his female client, Camille, struggle to unravel the mystery of her uncle’s death. When Camille discovers the truth about Babe Ruth’s ancestry, she becomes the target of overzealous sports aficionados and businessmen attempting to save the image of the multibillion-dollar sport industry. The book flashes between two eras, linking authentic historical events and actual occurrences of the 1920s and 30s to a present-day investigation.
“Considerable research was involved while writing this book,” Cross said. “I traveled across the country to local historical societies, searched through numerous slave records and sought information from sources that I couldn’t have found in any library or through Internet research. I was in Abingdon, Virginia when I found the key link in a local handwritten journal entitled, ‘Colored Marriages from 1853 to 1859.’”
J. Anderson Cross currently resides in Omaha, Neb., and Los Angeles, Calif. He is a former high-tech executive and entrepreneur. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and English from Claremont McKenna College and has completed graduate work at the University of Nebraska and Stanford University. For more information, contact Jordan Bucher, PR by the Book, at jordan@prbythebook.com or visit www.thebambinosecret.com.
