Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth, born as George Herman Ruth Jr. on February 6, 1895, in Baltimore, Maryland, is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Ruth began his professional career as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, but his prowess at the plate, where he revolutionized the power game, eventually made him an outfielder and attracted the attention of the New York Yankees.

Ruth is known for his incredible power, hitting skill, and larger-than-life personality. He has won numerous individual awards and holds multiple records, such as the most home runs in a season.

Off the field, Ruth was also recognized for his philanthropy, making significant charitable contributions and inspiring millions worldwide.

Boston Red Sox

• Initial Career: Ruth started his career with the Boston Red Sox in 1914 as a pitcher and was very successful, but his hitting ability was too good to ignore and he was soon also playing in the field.

New York Yankees

• Record-breaking Transfer: In 1919, Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees. Over the next 15 years, he became the club's most iconic player, setting numerous records, including the single-season home run record. He won four World Series titles with the Yankees.

Boston Braves

• Later Career: Ruth ended his career with the Boston Braves in 1935, but by then his best years were behind him, and he retired the same year.

International Exhibitions

• Exhibition Games: While Ruth never played officially outside the United States due to the era he played in, he did participate in numerous exhibition games internationally.

• Position: Primarily an outfielder, but also a pitcher early in his career.
• Skills: Known for his incredible power, hitting ability, and charisma. Ruth is celebrated for his record-setting home runs, RBI, and slugging percentage.

• Family: Ruth was married twice and had two daughters. He was known for his love of children and often visited orphanages.
• Philanthropy: Ruth was involved in various charitable activities and has donated significant sums to children's causes.

• Babe Ruth is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his larger-than-life personality and impact on the game of baseball. His impact on the sport and his status as an icon extend beyond the field, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Most Home Runs in a Season:

• 60 home runs in 1927

Most Home Runs in a Career:

• 714 career home runs

Most RBI in a Career:

• 2213 RBI

Highest Slugging Percentage in a Career:

• .690 slugging percentage

Books

• Montville, L. (2006) The Big Bam: The Life and Times of Babe Ruth. New York: Broadway Books.
• Creamer, R. (1974) Babe: The Legend Comes to Life. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Websites

• Baseball Reference: Information about Babe Ruth’s career and achievements. Available at: https://www.baseball-reference.com
• Official Babe Ruth Website: Comprehensive information about Ruth’s life and career. Available at: https://www.baberuth.com

Articles

• ESPN: Babe Ruth: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/17450/babe-ruth
• The New York Times: Babe Ruth’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/topic/person/babe-ruth

Documentaries

• Babe Ruth (1998): Directed by Mark H. Marynell. This documentary provides a detailed look at Ruth’s life and career.
• ESPN Documentaries: Various documentaries and features on Babe Ruth, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.espn.com