Babe Ruth’s Start to Major League Baseball
Babe Ruth is one of the most iconic figures in baseball history. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. But before he was a celebrated hero, he was a young minor-league prospect with a bright future ahead of him. So which major-league team did Babe Ruth start with?
Ruth’s Early Years
Babe Ruth was born George Herman Ruth Jr. in 1895 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the first of eight children born to George Sr. and Kate Schamberger Ruth. Ruth had a difficult childhood and was sent to St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys in 1902 after being caught stealing.
At St. Mary’s, Ruth was coached in baseball by Brother Matthias Boutlier, who would later become his legal guardian. It was here that he honed his craft and developed into a talented player.
The Baltimore Orioles
In 1914, Ruth was signed by the Baltimore Orioles, a minor-league team in the International League. At the time, the Orioles were managed by Jack Dunn, who had taken a liking to the 19-year-old Ruth and gave him the nickname “Babe” due to his youth.
In his first season with the Orioles, Ruth appeared in 28 games and posted a 9-5 record with a 3.60 ERA. He also hit .315 with four home runs and 20 RBIs. Ruth’s impressive performance earned him a promotion to the major leagues.
The Boston Red Sox
In 1914, Ruth was purchased by the Boston Red Sox of the American League. He made his major-league debut on July 11, 1914 and pitched a complete game shutout against the Cleveland Naps.
Ruth spent the next six seasons with the Red Sox and established himself as one of the best pitchers in the league. He posted a record of 89-46 with an ERA of 2.19. He also hit .315 with 35 home runs and 170 RBIs.
Transition to Outfielder
In 1918, the Red Sox decided to move Ruth from the mound to the outfield. The move was made to take advantage of his powerful hitting. In his first full season as an outfielder, Ruth hit a then-record 29 home runs and drove in 114 runs. He also led the league in slugging percentage and OPS.
Ruth’s Record-Setting Numbers
Ruth continued to set records during his time with the Red Sox. He hit a career-high 54 home runs in 1920, which was a record that stood for 34 years. He also led the league in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage in both 1920 and 1921.
The Trade to the Yankees
After the 1919 season, Ruth was traded to the New York Yankees for a reported $125,000. The trade was highly controversial at the time, as the Red Sox were relinquishing one of their best players.
The Yankees Years
Ruth joined the Yankees in 1920 and was immediately a success. He hit 54 home runs that season and led the Yankees to their first World Series title. He went on to lead the Yankees to four more World Series titles in the next six seasons.
The Legacy of Babe Ruth
Ruth retired from baseball in 1935 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in baseball history and is remembered for his immense talent and larger-than-life personality.
Conclusion
So which major-league team did Babe Ruth start with? He started his professional career with the Baltimore Orioles of the International League, but was quickly promoted to the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox. He spent the next seven seasons with the Red Sox, setting numerous records and leading the team to two World Series titles. He was then traded to the New York Yankees, where he spent the remainder of his career, winning four more World Series titles and becoming one of the most iconic figures in baseball history.