Introduction to Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth was an American professional baseball player whose career in Major League Baseball (MLB) spanned 22 seasons, from 1914 through 1935. Nicknamed “The Bambino” and “The Sultan of Swat”, he began his MLB career as a stellar left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, but achieved his greatest fame as a slugging outfielder for the New York Yankees. Ruth established many MLB batting records, including career home runs (714), runs batted in (RBIs) (2,213), bases on balls (2,062), slugging percentage (.690), and on-base plus slugging (OPS) (1.164); the latter two still stand as of 2021.
Ruth is regarded as one of the greatest sports heroes in American culture and is considered by many to be the greatest baseball player of all time. In 1936, Ruth was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame as one of its “first five” inaugural members.
Early Life
George Herman Ruth Jr. was born in 1895 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the first of eight children born to George Herman Ruth Sr. and Katherine Schamberger. His parents were German immigrants who had arrived in the U.S. several years earlier. Ruth’s father was a saloon keeper and his mother was a housewife.
At the age of 7, Ruth was sent to St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, a reformatory and orphanage, where he learned basic academic skills as well as how to play baseball. He was there until he was 19 years old, when he was signed by Jack Dunn, owner of the Baltimore Orioles, a minor league baseball team.
Minor League Career
Ruth began his professional baseball career in 1914 with the Baltimore Orioles of the International League, a minor league. He quickly established himself as a star pitcher, winning 24 games and leading the league with a 2.44 ERA.
The success of Ruth in the minor leagues was noticed by the Boston Red Sox, who purchased his contract from the Orioles in July 1914. The Red Sox were looking for a left-handed pitcher and felt that Ruth fit the bill. He made his major league debut on July 11, 1914.
Boston Red Sox
Ruth spent the next five years with the Red Sox and quickly became one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. He led the American League in ERA in 1916, and then again in 1917 and 1918. He also led the league in wins in 1916 and 1918.
In addition to his success as a pitcher, Ruth was also an excellent hitter. He hit his first home run as a Red Sox player in 1915 and finished the season with four home runs. The following season he hit 11 home runs and then a career-high 29 in 1919.
New York Yankees
In December 1919, Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees for $100,000. Though he was primarily a pitcher with the Red Sox, the Yankees saw him as a hitter and convinced him to focus more on his batting. He responded by hitting a record 54 home runs in 1920, smashing the previous single-season record of 29.
In 1921, Ruth hit 59 home runs, breaking his own record. He would go on to break his own record three more times and by the end of his career, he had established a new record of 714 home runs.
When Did Babe Ruth Start Playing in the MLB?
Babe Ruth began his MLB career with the Boston Red Sox in July of 1914 and spent five years with the team. He made his major league debut on July 11, 1914. In December 1919, Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees and went on to become one of the most famous and successful players in baseball history.
Ruth’s Accomplishments with the Red Sox
During his five years with the Red Sox, Ruth established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. He led the American League in ERA in 1916, 1917, and 1918 and also led the league in wins in 1916 and 1918. He also had success at the plate and hit his first home run with the Red Sox in 1915.
Ruth’s Accomplishments with the Yankees
Ruth’s time with the Yankees is arguably the most famous in his career. He quickly established himself as one of the most powerful hitters in the league, smashing the single-season home run record with 54 in 1920 and breaking his own record three more times. By the end of his career, he had established a new record of 714 home runs.
Ruth also set many other MLB records during his time with the Yankees, including career runs batted in (2,213), bases on balls (2,062), slugging percentage (.690), and on-base plus slugging (OPS) (1.164).
Legacy of Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth is widely regarded as one of the greatest sports heroes in American culture and is considered by many to be the greatest baseball player of all time. In 1936, he was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame as one of its “first five” inaugural members.
He continues to be remembered for his accomplishments on the field, as well as his larger-than-life personality. He was known for his generosity, his willingness to help children, and his appreciation for the game.
Notable Achievements
- MLB records: Ruth set many MLB records during his career, including career home runs (714), runs batted in (RBIs) (2,213), bases on balls (2,062), slugging percentage (.690), and on-base plus slugging (OPS) (1.164).
- Hall of Fame: In 1936, he was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame as one of its “first five” inaugural members.
- Generosity: Ruth was known for his generosity, his willingness to help children, and his appreciation for the game.
Conclusion
Babe Ruth began his MLB career with the Boston Red Sox in July of 1914 and spent five years with the team. He was then sold to the New York Yankees in December 1919, where he went on to become one of the most famous and successful players in baseball history. During his time with the Yankees, Ruth set many MLB records, including career home runs (714), runs batted in (RBIs) (2,213), bases on balls (2,062), slugging percentage (.690), and on-base plus slugging (OPS) (1.164). In 1936, he was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame as one of its “first five” inaugural members. Ruth’s legacy continues to live on, as many still consider him to be the greatest baseball player of all time.