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.

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.

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

Babe Ruth was born on August 30, 1916.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 August 16, 1948, Babe Ruth passed away.

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.

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 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.

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

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.