Babe Ruth

Who Was Babe Ruth?

Babe Ruth, born George Herman Ruth Jr., is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players in history. Over his storied career, he shattered numerous records, including leading the league in home runs for multiple seasons, setting the highest slugging percentage in a single season, and accumulating the most total bases in a season. Ruth’s crowning achievement came with his 714 career home runs, a record that remained unchallenged until 1974.

Early Life

Ruth was born on February 6, 1895, in Baltimore, Maryland. Growing up in a poor waterfront neighborhood, he was one of eight children born to George Herman Ruth Sr. and Kate Schamberger-Ruth, though only he and one sibling survived infancy. Known for his mischievous behavior, Ruth’s early years were marked by trouble—by the age of seven, he was frequently caught skipping school, wandering the docks, and getting into mischief. To address his unruly behavior, his parents sent him to St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, a Catholic institution where Ruth would spend much of his youth. At St. Mary’s, Ruth found a mentor in Brother Matthias, a monk who became a significant father figure in his life.

Early Career

It was at St. Mary’s that Ruth first discovered his love for baseball, excelling as both a pitcher and hitter under the guidance of Brother Matthias and other monks. By the age of 15, Ruth’s talent on the field was undeniable. His pitching skills, in particular, caught the attention of Jack Dunn, owner of the minor league Baltimore Orioles. Dunn, who trained players for the Boston Red Sox, saw immense potential in Ruth and offered him a contract. Since Ruth was only 19 and legally required a guardian to sign the contract, Dunn stepped in as his legal guardian. This led to Ruth’s now-famous nickname, “Babe,” as teammates affectionately referred to him as “Dunn’s new babe.”

Ruth’s rise was meteoric. After a brief stint in the minors, he was called up to the Boston Red Sox. As a left-handed pitcher, he quickly established himself as a key player, leading the Red Sox to three championships in his first five years. One of his standout performances came in 1916 when he pitched a record 13 scoreless innings in a single game during the championship series.

Babe Ruth’s legacy in baseball remains legendary, not only for his record-breaking achievements but also for the indelible mark he left on the sport and American culture.

Major Leagues: A Turning Point for the Red Sox and Yankees

In the early 20th century, the Boston Red Sox were a dominant force in baseball, highlighted by their World Series titles and the legendary Babe Ruth. However, a monumental shift occurred in 1919 when Red Sox owner Harry Frazee, facing financial troubles, made a fateful decision. In need of cash to settle his debts, Frazee sold the rights to Ruth to the New York Yankees for $100,000—an extraordinary sum at the time.

This deal dramatically altered the trajectory of both franchises. For Boston, Ruth’s departure marked the end of an era. The team entered an 86-year championship drought, famously referred to as “The Curse of the Bambino,” during which they failed to win another World Series until 2004.

On the other hand, Ruth’s arrival in New York turned the Yankees into a powerhouse. With Ruth as their centerpiece, the Yankees won four World Series titles in the next 15 years. Ruth, now a full-time outfielder, revolutionized the game with an unprecedented display of power, becoming the driving force behind the Yankees’ rise to prominence.

Record-Breaking Career and Stats

Ruth’s impact on baseball was immediate and far-reaching. While still with the Red Sox in 1919, he set a single-season home run record with 29, but his dominance had only just begun. In 1920, his first season with the Yankees, Ruth shattered expectations by hitting 54 home runs. The following year, he broke his own record with 59 home runs, and within a decade, Ruth had firmly established himself as baseball’s all-time home run leader.

Ruth’s remarkable ability to surpass even his own records reached its peak in 1927 when he hit 60 home runs in a single season—a record that stood for 34 years. By this time, Ruth had become synonymous with Yankee success, and Yankee Stadium, built in 1923, was famously dubbed “The House That Ruth Built” in his honor.

Throughout his career, Ruth set and broke numerous slugging records. He led the league in home runs for 12 seasons, accumulated the most total bases in a single season (457), and posted the highest slugging percentage for a season (.847). His career total of 714 home runs remained unmatched until 1974, when Hank Aaron surpassed him.

Retirement and Legacy

Ruth’s success on the field was mirrored by a lavish lifestyle off the field, making him a cultural icon in pre-Depression America. Known for his larger-than-life appetite for food, alcohol, and women, Ruth became a symbol of excess and indulgence. This reputation, however, ultimately hindered his post-playing career ambitions. Despite his desire to manage a team, Ruth’s perceived recklessness led ball clubs to shy away from giving him the opportunity.

In 1935, Ruth briefly returned to Boston to play for the Braves, hoping for a chance to manage the team. Unfortunately, that opportunity never came. On May 25, 1935, in one of his final games, Ruth gave fans a glimpse of his former greatness by hitting three home runs in a single game at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. A week later, he retired from baseball, having cemented his place in history as one of the game’s greatest players. Ruth was among the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.

Although Ruth never achieved his goal of managing a major league team, he remained involved in baseball and later took on a coaching role with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1938. In his later years, Ruth focused on charitable endeavors, generously giving his time to causes for underprivileged children.

Death and Legacy

Babe Ruth made his final public appearance on June 13, 1948, at Yankee Stadium, during the stadium’s 25th anniversary celebration. Gravely ill with cancer, Ruth was a shadow of his former self, but the affection from fans remained strong. Just two months later, on August 16, 1948, Ruth passed away, leaving much of his estate to the Babe Ruth Foundation for underprivileged children. He was survived by his second wife, Claire, and his daughters, Dorothy and Julia.

Ruth’s legacy as one of the most influential figures in baseball history endures, not only through his records and accolades but also in the impact he had on shaping the modern game and popularizing the sport.