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‘I could wake up the ghosts’
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‘I could wake up the ghosts’

Don’t count the Yanks out of the World Series yet: They still have the Sultan of Swat.

For decades, Yankees fans have left “offerings” at Babe Ruth’s grave — everything from baseballs, to baseball cards, to sunflower seeds and bottles of whiskey in hopes of bringing good luck to the Bronx Bombers.

As the Yanks take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic, they are stepping up their game.

Babe Ruth's grave in Westchester County remains a mecca for New York Yankee fans, who believe the Bambino has a magical aura over the franchise. APBabe Ruth's grave in Westchester County remains a mecca for New York Yankee fans, who believe the Bambino has a magical aura over the franchise. AP

Babe Ruth’s grave in Westchester County remains a mecca for New York Yankee fans, who believe the Bambino has a magical aura over the franchise. AP

“I thought I’d just say hi and maybe I could wake up the ghosts,” superfan Pete Lombardo said Monday at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Westchester County, decked out in full Ruth regalia with his wife and 22-month-old daughter. “Hopefully Ruth goes to the Bronx and says, ‘What’s going on guys?’

“I was joking on the ride up and said I would sacrifice my firstborn for the Yankees to win the World Series,” Lombardo said, looking at his toddler. “Is that okay?”

The Bambino’s Tomb has long been something of a mecca for the Yankees faithful.

The Yankee legend, who died in 1948, has captivated the team’s fanbase ever since, most notably with a now-defunct Curse of the Bambino that would have kept the hated Red Sox out of baseball’s promised land for decades.

The Sox traded Ruth to the Yankees for cash in 1919, one of the most lopsided trades in baseball history that launched the Yanks dynasty and built them into the best team in the sport. The Sox won the World Series with Ruth in 1918, but the trade marked the beginning of a decades-long dry spell.

Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs after being traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees in 1919. APBabe Ruth hit 714 home runs after being traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees in 1919. AP

Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs after being traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees in 1919. AP

Yankees fans have been coming to Babe Ruth's grave in Westchester County for decades, leaving countless memories for the Hall of Fame icon. APYankees fans have been coming to Babe Ruth's grave in Westchester County for decades, leaving countless memories for the Hall of Fame icon. AP

Yankees fans have been coming to Babe Ruth’s grave in Westchester County for decades, leaving countless memories for the Hall of Fame icon. AP

The curse ended when the Sox finally defeated the Bombers in 2004, but the fans aren’t giving up.

In recent days, the grave has been decorated with more than 50 baseballs — one with “Go Yankees 2024” written on it — a big boy can of Budweiser, an airplane-sized bottle of Jack Daniels, a Yankee baseball hat, a mini batting hat. helmet, an old leather baseball glove, two American flags and a handful of mass cards.

Also in the mix is ​​a mini pumpkin with the inscription “go Yankees” on it, a handful of rocks and pennies, and a full bag of David sunflower seeds – a favorite treat among ballplayers.

“You have to see my office!” said Lombardo.

The 36-year-old father, a season ticket holder and data science tech at Farmingville-based Northwell Health, said he took the day off for the trip and got his family to participate by including a pumpkin trip upstate.

The New York Yankees are battling the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, and fans are hoping that 'sacrifices' at Babe Ruth's grave can bring the Bombers some luck. Jason Szenes/New York PostThe New York Yankees are battling the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, and fans are hoping that 'sacrifices' at Babe Ruth's grave can bring the Bombers some luck. Jason Szenes/New York Post

The New York Yankees are battling the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, and fans are hoping that ‘sacrifices’ at Babe Ruth’s grave can bring the Bombers some luck. Jason Szenes/New York Post

“This is my first time here,” he said. “I always wanted to come. I thought this was the perfect day to come.

“Babe Ruth is a legend,” Lombardo added. “Whenever I’m in Monument Park, I always have to rub his head. You know, the Babe Ruth monument? Yes, he is the greatest Yankee who ever lived.

He turned to his daughter, Elizabeth, and asked, “Can you say, let’s go see the Yankees?”

The toddler clenched her fist.