I betcha Reggie's candy bar comment was in turn inspired by the Baby Ruth bar, which funnily enough, was launched decades before Babe Ruth hit the sports page for the first time.
Baby Ruth referred to the "First Baby", born to the sitting president Grover Cleveland, who was elected as a bachelor and married while in office, becoming a high society sensation of the late-1880s and early-1890s.
When Ruth Cleveland was born in 1891, it was a media storm at the time, so much so that even the candy bar gained traction to become a long-term staple in the American market.
Decades later, when Ruth Cleveland had long since faded from memory, most people assumed that the candy bar was named after the most beloved sports figure of the 20th century.
I am sure Reggie was talking about the Baby Ruth. Somewhere in all the promotion his agent or manager or someone told a reporter how much he loved eating them.
I wrote a little about the Baby Ruth origin but had to cut it for time. The bar itself predated Ruth's fame, but in 1921, the year after he hit 54 home runs, the makers of a candy bar called the "Kandy Kake" renamed their product, supposedly after an employee contest in which the winning entry suggested honoring Ruth Cleveland, who had died as a child in 1907. Sales exploded after the renaming and Babe Ruth saw not a penny of them. My sense is the company knew what they were doing but created a legally workable smokescreen. Either that or young Ruth Cleveland must have had a real cult following.
I remember the 'Reggie' bar coming out after the 1977 WS. But living in L.A. at the time didn't know the story of that 1st game in 1978. My favorite food-oriented Reggie reference - "There isn't enough mustard in the whole world to cover that hot dog." - Darold Knowles.
Red Smith said something like, "A candy bar to relish," and I saw a quote attributed to Catfish Hunter warning teammates not to put Reggie! Bars in their pocket because it left mustard stains. But my favorite quote, by far, came from Ron Blomberg, who was asked if he'd tried one of the bars (he was on the White Sox in April 1978). He shook his head. "Too many nuts for me."
Ron has done numerous shows & signings. I’ve met him twice in NJ. He’s very much down to earth & enjoys his fans. If he’s ever in your area I highly suggest stopping in to say hello to him.
On at least one occasion in 1977 a group of White Sox fans dumped a basket of Monopoly money into right field while Jackson was out there. I thought that was pretty charming in terms of harassment.
I love stories about Reggie. You know who else loves stories about Reggie? Reggie.
When he slipped into the third-person, you knew it was about to get really interesting.
And yet not nearly as endearing as when Rickey did it.
I betcha Reggie's candy bar comment was in turn inspired by the Baby Ruth bar, which funnily enough, was launched decades before Babe Ruth hit the sports page for the first time.
Baby Ruth referred to the "First Baby", born to the sitting president Grover Cleveland, who was elected as a bachelor and married while in office, becoming a high society sensation of the late-1880s and early-1890s.
When Ruth Cleveland was born in 1891, it was a media storm at the time, so much so that even the candy bar gained traction to become a long-term staple in the American market.
Decades later, when Ruth Cleveland had long since faded from memory, most people assumed that the candy bar was named after the most beloved sports figure of the 20th century.
I am sure Reggie was talking about the Baby Ruth. Somewhere in all the promotion his agent or manager or someone told a reporter how much he loved eating them.
I wrote a little about the Baby Ruth origin but had to cut it for time. The bar itself predated Ruth's fame, but in 1921, the year after he hit 54 home runs, the makers of a candy bar called the "Kandy Kake" renamed their product, supposedly after an employee contest in which the winning entry suggested honoring Ruth Cleveland, who had died as a child in 1907. Sales exploded after the renaming and Babe Ruth saw not a penny of them. My sense is the company knew what they were doing but created a legally workable smokescreen. Either that or young Ruth Cleveland must have had a real cult following.
Thanks for adding this to the story, Juan!
I remember eating his candy bars
Here's your chance to be a food critic and leave a review. What did you think?
They were OK. Pretty much like a Baby Ruth with caramel.
I remember the 'Reggie' bar coming out after the 1977 WS. But living in L.A. at the time didn't know the story of that 1st game in 1978. My favorite food-oriented Reggie reference - "There isn't enough mustard in the whole world to cover that hot dog." - Darold Knowles.
Red Smith said something like, "A candy bar to relish," and I saw a quote attributed to Catfish Hunter warning teammates not to put Reggie! Bars in their pocket because it left mustard stains. But my favorite quote, by far, came from Ron Blomberg, who was asked if he'd tried one of the bars (he was on the White Sox in April 1978). He shook his head. "Too many nuts for me."
Ron Blomberg was more quotable than should have been the case!
Ron has done numerous shows & signings. I’ve met him twice in NJ. He’s very much down to earth & enjoys his fans. If he’s ever in your area I highly suggest stopping in to say hello to him.
Thanks Jeff. I'd be very happy to meet him!
lol… that’s Ron
Yeah! If you lived in the NY area who doesn’t remember Reggie & Billy Martin ‘having words’ in the dugout live on TV?
Holy Cow!!!
Without reading lips you knew what was being said!!
Great story, Paul. Your headline alludes to a more logical product endorsement for Reggie: a hot dog.
Great observation, Bill. Somebody at Oscar Mayer really missed the moment with Reggie.
I remember Reggie was on camera in the outfield once where fans were tossing change as he was walking around bending down to fill his pockets.
I also knew he was an avid car collector - I guess he needed gas money for his Lamborghini & Rolls Royces.
On at least one occasion in 1977 a group of White Sox fans dumped a basket of Monopoly money into right field while Jackson was out there. I thought that was pretty charming in terms of harassment.
Good one!
Reggie also had homered in his last at bat in Game 5 so technically, he homered in his last four official at bats in the ‘77 Series.
Since that one was at Dodger Stadium it didn't connect as well to the Reggie! Bar homer, but definitely a part of "Mr. October" canon. Thanks George.