One of Ruth’s Favorite Bars Bites the Dust

McCuddy’s Tavern, a 79-year-old baseball landmark and one of Babe Ruth’s favorite hangouts, was demolished by wreckers Monday.

As the 12-year-old great-great-grandson of the tavern’s founder tearfully pulled the lever, a tractor-like high lift from Speedway Wrecking Co. took the first big chunk out of the small saloon across the street from Comiskey Park.

Young Jack Blachley, who used to sell hot dogs in the tavern, was too choked up to talk about it at first and hid his face as he said of the demolition, “It’s stupid.”

Though family members said watching McCuddy’s go was sad, the tavern will be resurrected in two years a block away as part of a state-funded stadium project that will give the Chicago White Sox a new home by 1991.