Babe Ruth, born George Herman Ruth Jr., was one of the most famous and influential baseball players in history. Known for his power-hitting and charismatic personality, Ruth helped transform baseball into the sport we know today and became a symbol of American culture in the 1920s.
Here is a full biography of Babe Ruth:
Full Name:
- George Herman Ruth Jr.
Nickname:
- Babe Ruth, also known as The Sultan of Swat and The Colossus of Clout
Birth:
- Date: February 6, 1895
- Place: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Family:
- Father: George Herman Ruth Sr., a bartender.
- Mother: Kate Ruth, a homemaker.
- Ruth’s parents were working-class immigrants, with German and Irish roots.
Early Life:
Babe Ruth was raised in a rough neighborhood in Baltimore. At the age of 7, Ruth’s parents sent him to the St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, a reform school, due to his troubled behavior and difficult childhood. It was there that Ruth discovered his love for baseball, and a brotherhood formed between him and the monks at the school, one of whom, Brother Matthias, became a father figure and mentor to Ruth.
Ruth’s talent for baseball quickly became apparent, and he was offered a chance to play professionally as a young man. His athleticism and natural ability were undeniable.
Baseball Career:
Ruth began his professional baseball career at the age of 19 in 1914 when he was signed by the Baltimore Orioles of the International League. He was soon sold to the Boston Red Sox, where he started his major league career.
- Boston Red Sox (1914-1919):
- Ruth initially started as a pitcher, showcasing an incredible fastball and excellent control.
- He helped lead the Red Sox to three World Series titles (1915, 1916, 1918).
- His pitching success was overshadowed by his batting abilities, and he became known for his home runs and slugging power.
- New York Yankees (1919-1934):
- In 1919, Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees, marking a turning point in his career. His move to the Yankees is often seen as the moment that revolutionized the game of baseball.
- Ruth’s powerful hitting transformed the Yankees into a winning team, and he became famous for his ability to hit home runs, setting a new standard for offensive performance.
- He led the Yankees to seven American League pennants and four World Series titles (1923, 1927, 1928, and 1932).
- Ruth hit a record 60 home runs in 1927, a mark that stood until Roger Maris broke it in 1961.
- He also set the all-time career home run record at the time, finishing with 714 home runs by the end of his career, a record that stood until Hank Aaron surpassed it in 1974.
- Boston Braves (1935):
- Ruth ended his playing career with a brief stint with the Boston Braves in 1935, where he played for just part of the season before retiring from baseball.
Playing Style:
- Batting: Ruth was known for his unmatched power at the plate. His ability to hit long home runs revolutionized the game, making him the face of the “home-run era.”
- Pitching: Before becoming a full-time hitter, Ruth was also an excellent pitcher. He finished his career with a 2.28 ERA and won 94 games as a pitcher, including a 23-win season in 1916.
- Charisma: Ruth’s charisma, larger-than-life personality, and love of entertaining fans turned him into a national icon. His off-field antics and flamboyance in the public eye contributed to his legendary status.
Career Statistics:
- Batting average: .342
- Home runs: 714 (third all-time at his retirement)
- RBIs (Runs Batted In): 2,214
- Hits: 2,873
- Games played: 2,503
- On-base percentage: .474
- Slugging percentage: .690 (highest career slugging percentage of all-time at the time)
Retirement:
- Babe Ruth retired from playing professional baseball in 1935 after a short time with the Boston Braves.
- He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936, in the first-ever class of inductees, alongside other greats like Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner.
Personal Life:
- First Marriage:
- Ruth married Helen Woodford in 1914, and they had one child together, a daughter named Dorothy. They later divorced in 1929.
- Second Marriage:
- Ruth married Claire Hodgson in 1929, and they remained married until his death. They had two daughters, Julia and Linda.
- Lifestyle:
- Ruth was known for his indulgent lifestyle, enjoying large meals, cigars, and alcohol. He was famous for his extravagant spending, and his larger-than-life persona made him a media sensation.
- He also became a part-owner and vice president of the New York Yankees in his later years.
Health Issues and Death:
- By the early 1940s, Ruth’s health began to decline due to his unhealthy lifestyle. In 1946, he was diagnosed with throat cancer, which led to a significant deterioration in his health.
- Babe Ruth passed away on August 16, 1948, at the age of 53. His death was widely mourned, and he is considered one of the greatest athletes in American history.
Legacy:
- Babe Ruth is often considered the greatest baseball player of all time, and his influence on the game remains profound. He was a symbol of the “Golden Age” of baseball in the 1920s and helped popularize the sport to a new level.
- His home run records, combined with his ability to hit for average and drive in runs, made him an icon of power hitting.
- The New York Yankees honored him by retiring his number 3, the first number ever retired by the team.
- Ruth’s impact extended beyond baseball, as he became an American cultural icon, embodying the spirit of the Roaring Twenties.
Key Achievements and Honors:
- 714 home runs, second on the all-time list at the time of his retirement.
- 7-time World Series Champion (4 with the Yankees and 3 with the Red Sox).
- 2-time American League MVP (1923 and 1925).
- First-ever Hall of Fame inductee (1936).
- Ruth’s number 3 retired by the New York Yankees.
- Babe Ruth’s impact on popularizing the home run transformed baseball into the modern sport we know today.
Quote:
- “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”
- “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.”
Babe Ruth’s impact on the game of baseball, his influence on popular culture, and his status as an enduring legend make him one of the most celebrated figures in the history of sports.
