Who is Babe Ruth? Baseball’s Most Famous Superstar

Early Life and Troubled Beginnings

George Herman Ruth Jr., better known to the world as Babe Ruth, was one of eight children—but only he and his sister Mamie survived into adulthood. His parents worked long hours, leaving little time for supervision or guidance. Without that parental oversight, young George grew rebellious, frequently skipping school and getting into trouble.

At age seven, his parents decided he needed stricter discipline and sent him to St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, run by the Xaverian Brothers. This decision would shape the rest of his life. At St. Mary’s, George not only learned practical trades but also discovered his lifelong passion—baseball.

A Mentor and a Breakthrough

Brother Matthias, one of the school’s staff members, became a father figure to George and worked tirelessly to hone his baseball skills. His talent was so remarkable that Matthias invited Jack, owner of the Baltimore Orio

Dunn was immediately impressed and offered him a contract in February 1914. Since George was only 19, Dunn had to become his legal guardian to finalize the deal. Orioles players jokingly called him “Jack’s newest baby,” and just like that, the nickname “Babe” Ruth was born.

Rise to Stardom with the Red Sox

Babe’s strong performance with the Orioles led to his sale to the Boston Red Sox. Although he would later become famous for his power hitting, Babe began his career as an outstanding pitcher.

• 1914: Won his first major league game with the Red Sox.
• 1915–1917: Became one of the league’s top pitchers, leading in ERA and complete games.
• 1918: Transitioned into a full-time position player due to his extraordinary batting ability.

In 1919, Babe shattered the single-season home run record with 29 homers—his last season in Boston.

The Yankees Era and a Baseball Revolution

On December 26, 1919, Babe was sold to the New York Yankees, a move that would forever change both franchises. Playing full-time in the outfield, he revolutionized the sport, turning it from a small-ball strategy into a game of power hitting and high scores.

• 1920: Hit 54 home runs, more than any other team except one.
• 1921: Arguably his best season—59 home runs, 171 RBIs, 177 runs scored, a .376 batting average, and an unheard-of .846 slugging percentage.
• 1923: Yankees moved into their new stadium, nicknamed “The House That Ruth Built.”
• 1927: Set the legendary single-season record of 60 home runs, a mark that stood for 34 years.

Under Ruth’s leadership, the Yankees became baseball’s most dominant team, winning seven pennants and four World Series titles during his tenure.

Final Years and Lasting Legacy

Babe retired in 1935 with 56 major league records, including 714 career home runs—a record that stood for nearly four decades. In 1936, he was among the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Sadly, in 1946, Babe was diagnosed with cancer. His health declined quickly, but he made one last emotional appearance at Yankee Stadium on June 13, 1948, when the team retired his iconic #3 jersey. He passed away on August 16, 1948, at the age of 53, with over 100,000 fans paying their respects.

An Immortal Icon of Sport

Babe Ruth was more than just a baseball player—he was a cultural phenomenon. He helped the sport recover from the Black Sox scandal, lifted spirits during the Great Depression, and redefined what it meant to be a sports hero.

Even decades after his retirement, Ruth remains the benchmark by which all baseball greatness is measured. His impact on the game, and on American culture, is simply unmatched.