August 5, 2010

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Hot Springs (Garland County) was the site of spring training for several major league baseball teams, including the Boston Red Sox. One member of the Sox was a young pitcher named Babe Ruth. During one exhibition game, Ruth, the future home-run king, was said to have hit a home run into the confines of the Alligator Farm, and he once purchased an alligator from the farm as a souvenir. Ruth, who usually stayed in the Majestic Hotel, returned to the spa city on many occasions to enjoy the baths, gamble, play golf, and eat chicken dinners. He is shown here at Oaklawn Park Racetrack.