In February 1895 a man thought to be the greatest baseball player ever to play the game was born. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame as one of its first five members.
At just 19 years of age, George Herman “Babe” Ruth was signed to play in the minor leagues for the Baltimore Orioles, but was soon sold to the Red Sox. In no time at all he built a reputation as an outstanding pitcher who sometimes could hit long, long home runs. The position of pitcher did not give the Babe the time he desired on the field, so he was allowed to convert to an outfielder. Ruth’s contract was sold again after the 1919 season to the team that would make him even more famous, the New York Yankees. After the trade, Boston experienced an unheard of 86-year championship drought, and the more superstitious fans thought the Babe had placed a curse on the team.
It’s a good thing for us that Babe Ruth played when he did, set records when he did, and was inducted to the hall of fame when he did. In today’s cancel culture a man known for his off-field exploits with drinking and womanizing might not have been thought of as one of the greats of the game. As it was, Babe Ruth was denied the opportunity to go on as a manager of a major league club, and it was his behavior that many thought was to blame. Babe Ruth was a lifelong Catholic who was known to attend Mass after a night of carousing. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, generous with his time for orphans and children in hospitals. His charitable works was a side of him Ruth preferred to keep out of the public eye. I guess that’s just further proof that Jesus loves and forgives all sinners.
Even in the worst of us, there is goodness. And in the best of us, demons sometimes lay just below the surface. Unless we’ve walked in another man’s shoes, we might never know.
To honor the House the Ruth Build, I thought today would be a great day to serve us some Yankee Style Hot Dogs.
New York Style Hot Dogs with Spicy Onion Sauce
Spicy Onion Sauce
1 small White Onion
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
Kosher Salt to taste
2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
2 tablespoons White Vinegar
1/2 cup Water
1/2 teaspoon Sugar
Cayenne Pepper to taste
Peel and thinly slice the onions. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. When the oil is hot, stir in the onions season with a little salt. Cook, stirring every minute or so, until the onions have softened and begin to caramelize, about 8 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste, stirring until the onions are well coated. Cook until the tomato paste deepens in color, about 1 minute.
Stir in the vinegar, scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Add the water, sugar and cayenne pepper. Raise the heat to medium and bring to a rapid simmer.
Reduce the heat to low and gently simmer until the sauce thickens enough so a spoon leaves behind a trail, about 12 minutes. Taste, adjust as need with additional salt and cayenne pepper.
Hot Dogs
4 Jumbo All Beef Hot Dogs
4 Hot Dog Buns
Ketchup if desired
Jalapeño Peppers for a little kick
Note: Any good quality hot dog will work, but for a truly New York experience try Hebrew Nationals or Nathans. The addition of ketchup and Jalapeños is purl a personal choice.
Heat cast iron skillet to medium-high. Add enough water to the skillet to cover dogs about half-way. Place dogs in the skillet, let cook until plump, turning as needed for even cooking. Add more water to keep dogs “steaming”.
Turn up heat, let water evaporate and the dogs begin to brown, turning as needed for even blistering.
Split buns open, spread Onion Sauce inside the bun, place dog on top, dripple more onion sauce and serve.
Note: For a Ball Park experience, wrap the dogs in foil. This will also warm the buns.
Send forth Your light and Your fidelity;
they shall lead me on
And bring me to Your holy mountain,
to Your dwelling-place.
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