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Engraved portrait of Babe Ruth
Sports · 1920s

Babe Ruth

In memoriam 1895–1948
Baseball (outfielder, pitcher)Sport
Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Boston BravesTeam(s)
7 World Series championshipsTitles
714 HR, 2,214 RBI, .342 average, .690 sluggingRecords
George Herman Ruth Jr., Baltimore, MarylandBorn
The Turning Point

After starring as a left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees before the 1920 season. That year he smashed an unheard-of 54 home runs, transforming baseball from a small-ball game into the power era and making himself the sport's first national superstar.

Babe Ruth in his New York Yankees uniform, 1920
Babe Ruth in his New York Yankees uniform, 1920

Humble Baltimore Beginnings

Born in a rough neighborhood of Baltimore, young George was sent to St. Mary's Industrial School for boys at age seven. There, a monk named Brother Matthias taught him baseball and shaped the raw talent that would change the sport forever.

The House That Ruth Built

After his blockbuster 1920 sale to New York, Ruth's home run power packed stadiums and helped fund the construction of Yankee Stadium, which opened in 1923. He christened it by hitting a home run in its very first game.

An American Legend

Ruth retired in 1935 holding 56 Major League records and became one of the first five players elected to the Hall of Fame. When he died of cancer in 1948, tens of thousands filed past his casket at Yankee Stadium.

Career Timeline

  1. 1914MLB debut as pitcher for Boston Red Sox
  2. 1916Leads AL in ERA; wins first World Series
  3. 1919Sets new single-season home run record (29)
  4. 1920Sold to Yankees; hits 54 home runs
  5. 1923Named AL MVP; wins first title with Yankees
  6. 1927Hits record 60 home runs in a season
  7. 1932Famous 'called shot' in World Series vs Cubs
  8. 1935Plays final season with Boston Braves
  9. 1936Elected to inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame class
  10. 1948Number 4 retired by Yankees; dies of cancer

Biggest Hits

1927
60 home runs in a single seasonRecord stood for 34 years until Roger Maris broke it
1936
First five Hall of Fame inducteeAmong the inaugural class elected to Cooperstown
1932
Seven World Series championshipsWon three with Boston, four with the Yankees
1923
AL Most Valuable PlayerLed Yankees to their first World Series title
1935
714 career home runsCareer record that stood until Hank Aaron in 1974
1932
The 'Called Shot'Legendary gesture before homering in the World Series
Did You Know
  • Ruth believed for most of his life he was born February 7, 1894, only discovering his true 1895 birth date when applying for a passport.
  • He began his career as one of the American League's best pitchers, posting a 94-46 record and a 2.28 ERA before becoming a full-time slugger.

Portrait: Irwin, La Broad, & Pudlin · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons

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