Babe Ruth

George Herman Ruth, also known as Babe Ruth, was born on February 6, 1895 in Baltimore, Maryland. He later became one of the most iconic figures in baseball history, transitioning from a successful pitcher to a legendary power-hitting outfielder for the New York Yankees.

At the age of seven, Babe Ruth was sent to St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys, a reformatory and orphanage, where he spent much of the next 12 years. This experience played a significant role in shaping his future.

In 1902, Babe Ruth's father made the decision to send him to St. Mary's Industrial School for boys, a pivotal moment in the life of the future baseball icon.

Brother Mathias at St. Mary's church introduced Babe Ruth to the concept of baseball and various baseball leagues within the church, where Ruth spent 12 years.

In 1913, St. Mary's Industrial School had a game against Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where the game was attended by Joe Engel.

On February 14, 1914, Babe Ruth signed his first contract with the minor-league Baltimore Orioles, marking the beginning of his baseball career.

On March 7, 1914, Babe Ruth made his first appearance as a professional ballplayer in an inter-squad game. He played shortstop and pitched the last two innings of a 15–9 victory, hitting a long home run in his second at-bat.

On July 4, 1914, Babe Ruth's contract, along with those of pitchers Ernie Shore and Ben Egan, was sold to the Boston Red Sox of the American League for a reported price of $25,000. Ruth remained with the Orioles for several days before reporting to the Red Sox on July 11.

On July 7, 1914, Babe Ruth was offered in a trade deal along with two other players to the Philadelphia Athletics by Dunn.

Two days later, on July 9, 1914, Jack Dunn sold Babe Ruth, along with Ernie Shore and Ben Egan, to Joe Lannin and the Boston Red Sox. This trade eventually led to the Red Sox winning the World Series in 1918.

On July 11, 1914, Babe Ruth played his first Major League game, marking the beginning of a legendary career in baseball.

Babe Ruth joined the Providence Grays on August 18, 1914, and was deeply impressed by manager 'Wild Bill' Donovan, who taught him much about pitching.

On September 5, 1914, at Maple Leaf Park in Toronto, Babe Ruth pitched a one-hit 9–0 victory and hit his first professional home run, his only one as a minor leaguer, off Ellis Johnson.

Babe Ruth finished the season with a record of 2–1 as a major leaguer and 23–8 in the International League. He pitched and won a game for the Red Sox against the New York Yankees on October 2, getting his first major league hit, a double.

On October 17, 1914, Babe Ruth tied the knot with Helen Woodford.

In March 1915, Babe Ruth reported to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for his first major league spring training, despite not being slated to start regularly for the Red Sox.

In 1915, Babe Ruth joined the Boston Red Sox as a left-handed pitcher. He achieved success on the mound, winning 89 games in six years and setting a World Series record for consecutive scoreless innings.

Babe Ruth was born on August 30, 1916.

In 1917, Babe Ruth expressed his desire to play every day at another position instead of just pitching. This marked the beginning of his transition from a pitcher to a hitter.

On August 29, 1918, Babe Ruth experienced the loss of his father, which had a significant impact on his personal life.

The Red Sox won their third pennant in four years and faced the Chicago Cubs in the World Series, which began on September 5, 1918, the earliest date in history. Ruth pitched and won Game One for the Red Sox, a 1–0 shutout.

On September 24, 1919, Babe Ruth broke the major league home run record by hitting his 29th home run of the season against the Senators, becoming the first major league player to hit a home run at all eight ballparks in his league.

On December 26, 1919, Babe Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees. This transaction marked a significant turning point in baseball history as Ruth's career with the Yankees would redefine the game.

On January 6, 1920, Babe Ruth signed a new contract with the New York Yankees after the sale of his contract by Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee. The deal included a bonus and was met with mixed reactions in Boston.

On January 20, 1920, the New York Yankees made a historic purchase by acquiring Babe Ruth, a move that would change the course of baseball history.

On May 1, 1920, Babe Ruth hit a tape measure home run that sent the ball completely out of the Polo Grounds, marking a turning point in his career with the Yankees.

On September 15, 1921, Babe Ruth hit his 55th home run of the season, breaking his own year-old single-season record. This achievement helped the Yankees gain an advantage in the tight pennant race.

On March 4, 1922, Babe Ruth signed a new contract with the Yankees for three years at $52,000 a year, which was a groundbreaking sum in baseball history. This contract represented a significant portion of the team's player payroll.

Babe Ruth returned to the Yankees on May 20, 1922, after being suspended by Commissioner Landis for illegally barnstorming after the World Series. Fans from his hometown traveled nearly 400 miles to welcome him back to the big leagues, showcasing the impact he had on American baseball.

Yankee Stadium opened on April 18, 1923, with Babe Ruth hitting the first home run in the new stadium. The ballpark was designed to cater to Ruth's hitting style, with features that made it easier for left-handed batters to hit home runs.

Babe Ruth, a prominent figure in baseball history, won the American League Most Valuable Player (AL MVP) award on September 15, 1923, recognizing his exceptional performance in the league.

In 1924, Babe Ruth won his only AL batting title with a .378 average. Despite the Yankees not winning the pennant that year, Ruth's individual performance stood out with a league-leading 46 home runs.

In 1925, Babe Ruth faced health issues and rumors circulated about his condition. He collapsed multiple times, leading to a hospitalization. The exact cause of his illness, known as 'the bellyache heard 'round the world', remains a mystery.

In 1926, Babe Ruth had a remarkable season, batting .372 with 47 home runs and 146 RBIs. The Yankees won the pennant by three games, with Ruth's exceptional performance playing a key role in their success.

In 1927, Babe Ruth set a record by hitting 60 home runs in a single season, a mark that remained unbroken for 34 years. This achievement solidified his reputation as one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

In 1928, Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs.

On January 11, 1929, Babe Ruth's wife passed away. This event had a significant impact on Ruth's personal life and may have influenced his career and decisions.

On April 17, 1929, Babe Ruth married Claire Merritt Hodgson. Claire, who was born near Athens, Georgia, met Ruth in 1923 after her husband Frank Hodgson passed away, leaving her with a daughter named Julia.

In 1930, Babe Ruth hit 46 home runs.

In 1931, Babe Ruth hit 49 home runs.

On October 1, 1932, during Game 3 of the World Series between the Yankees and the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Babe Ruth hit a home run after calling his shot. The ball traveled 436 feet, marking the 15th homerun of the series.

Babe Ruth played in the first Major League Baseball All-Star Game held on July 6, 1933, at Comiskey Park in Chicago. He hit the first home run in the All-Star Game's history, helping the AL win the game 4–2.

Footage from Babe Ruth's tour in Japan in 1934.

After negotiations between New York Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert and Boston Braves owner Judge Emil Fuchs, Babe Ruth was traded to the Braves on February 26, 1935. Ruth was appointed as a team vice president and assistant manager, with the possibility of becoming a co-owner of the team.

On May 25, 1935, Babe Ruth went 4-for-4 in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, hitting three home runs. This game marked the end of Ruth's career as a player, with the final home run being the first fair ball to be hit completely out of Forbes Field.

Despite his declining physical health, Babe Ruth played his final game for the Braves against the Phillies. The crowd honored him with a standing ovation as his illustrious baseball career concluded.

On June 2, 1935, Babe Ruth, one of the greatest players in the history of baseball, ends his Major League playing career after 22 seasons, 10 World Series and 714 home runs. Ruth was one of the first five players inducted into the sport’s hall of fame.

Babe Ruth was officially inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, recognizing his legendary contributions to the sport. This honor marked a significant milestone in Ruth's iconic career.

Despite not being considered for the manager's job, Ruth was hired by the Brooklyn Dodgers as a first base coach in 1938. He was mainly tasked with appearing on the field in uniform and encouraging base runners.

Ruth and Gehrig reconciled at Yankee Stadium on Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day, July 4, 1939, ending a seven-year rift in their relationship caused by a misunderstanding involving their mothers.

In 1943, Babe Ruth made his last appearance as a player at Yankee Stadium during an exhibition for the Army-Navy Relief Fund. He hit a long fly ball off Walter Johnson, showcasing his enduring popularity and support for the war effort.

On November 26, 1946, Babe Ruth was admitted to the hospital due to his deteriorating health caused by cancer. His condition was severe, with the left side of his face swollen, his left eye closed, and difficulty in consuming solid food.

On April 27, 1947, Babe Ruth delivered a farewell speech which marked the beginning of 'Babe Ruth Day'. This event was significant in honoring the legendary baseball player and his contributions to the sport.

On June 5, 1948, Babe Ruth visited Yale University to donate a manuscript of The Babe Ruth Story to its library. He met with future president George H. W. Bush, who was the captain of the Yale baseball team.

On June 13, 1948, Babe Ruth's No. 3 jersey was officially retired in a ceremony at Yankee Stadium. This jersey, featured in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Nat Fein photo, was given by Ruth to a Hall of Fame representative, marking a significant moment in baseball history.

On July 26, 1948, Babe Ruth left the hospital to attend the premiere of the film The Babe Ruth Story. Shortly thereafter, he returned to the hospital for the final time.

On August 16, 1948, Babe Ruth passed away.

On April 19, 1949, the Yankees unveiled a granite monument in Babe Ruth's honor in center field of Yankee Stadium, which later became part of Monument Park.

Babe Ruth League, Inc. was founded in 1951 with the belief that youth baseball and softball are essential for teaching life lessons and fostering positive development in children.

The Babe Ruth 16-18 division was introduced in 1966, offering young athletes the chance to continue their baseball journey with remarkable success.

In 1974, the 13-Year-Old Prep League was added, enabling 13-year-old players to transition to playing on a regulation size diamond while competing with peers of the same age.

Babe Ruth was known for hitting home runs with style and flair, standing out not just for the quantity but the quality of his hits.

Tommy Holmes, a sports writer, was awarded the 1979 BBWAA Career Excellence Award for his contributions to sports journalism.

In 1982, Babe Ruth Baseball introduced the Bambino Division for players aged 4-12, expanding its program to cater to a wider age group.

In 1983, the United States Postal Service issued a twenty-cent stamp in honor of Babe Ruth, commemorating his legacy as one of the most iconic figures in American sports history.

In 1984, Babe Ruth League, Inc. introduced Babe Ruth Softball for players aged 4 to 18, in response to the need for a national softball program. The division aimed to provide young female athletes of all skill levels with a quality athletic experience.

The first World Series Training Center was founded in Jamestown, New York in 1986 to educate future World Series hosts on the necessary requirements for a successful event.

Babe Ruth Baseball initiated summer baseball camps in 1988 to provide additional training and development opportunities for young players.

The Little Sister program was introduced as part of the Softball World Series in 1989, aiming to involve younger participants in the event.

The first 14-Year-Old Babe Ruth World Series was held in Clifton Park, New York in 1990, introducing a new age division to the World Series lineup.

The inaugural 16-Year-Old Babe Ruth World Series took place in Carmel, Indiana in 1997, expanding the age categories for the prestigious event.

In 1998, The Sporting News ranked Babe Ruth as the number one greatest player in baseball history, recognizing his unparalleled contributions to the sport.

On July 6, 1999, the Bambino Division of Babe Ruth Baseball was renamed as 'Cal Ripken Baseball, a Division of Babe Ruth League, Inc.', aligning with the vision and philosophies of Cal Ripken, Jr. and his father, Cal Ripken, Sr.

The Bambino Buddy-Ball Division was created in 2000 for players aged 5-20 with physical and/or mental challenges. The division pairs players with 'buddies' to assist them in various aspects of the game.

An article written by Bill Bryson in April 2001, reflecting on his relationship with Babe Ruth.

Babe Ruth teams were invited to the White House in 2002 to participate in the prestigious 'T-Ball on the South Lawn' event initiated by President George W. Bush.

The bat with which Babe Ruth hit the first home run at Yankee Stadium is the most expensive baseball bat sold at auction, having fetched $1.265 million in 2004.

In 2006, it was noted that more books have been written about Babe Ruth than any other member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, highlighting his enduring legacy and impact on the sport.

In 2007, the Cal Ripken Major/70 Division was launched, featuring a 50’ pitching distance and 70’ base paths, showcasing Babe Ruth League, Inc.'s commitment to innovation in youth baseball.

In 2008, the Data Center and Babe Ruth Online were launched to provide technology solutions for managing Babe Ruth leagues. The Data Center allows leagues to charter and insure their programs online, while Babe Ruth Online offers a custom software package for league management and marketing.

An article by Alex Arbuckle published in July 2012, discussing Babe Ruth's life both on and off the baseball field.

In 2013, Xtreme Fastpitch was added to the Babe Ruth Softball program to cater to all softball participants, from recreational players to those seeking competitive opportunities to enhance their skills for future play.

In 2014, Babe Ruth was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame for his legendary career as a right fielder.

On May 29, 2015, Babe Ruth Headquarters moved to a new, larger location due to the organization's growth, with the help of the Alumni Association's Capital Building Fund.

An article by Adrienne LaFrance published in September 2016, providing insights into Babe Ruth's private scrapbooks.

In 2017, Charlie Sheen sold Babe Ruth's 1927 World Series ring for $2,093,927 at auction, breaking the record for a championship ring.

In October 2018, Jane Leavy explored how Babe Ruth set the standard for modern celebrity athletes.

Louis Menand's May 2020 article explores the transformation of baseball players into celebrities.

An article by Wilton Jackson from January 2022 discussing a rare pitching clinic video of Babe Ruth.