Babe Ruth

Born: February 6, 1895 (Baltimore, Maryland)

Died: August 16, 1948 (New York, New York)

Height: 6'2" -- Weight: 215

Batted: Left -- Threw: Left

Position: Pitcher, Outfield

Began his career as a left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in 1914. He compiled a 78-40 record in four years with the Red Sox. Became a full time outfielder in 1919 because of his hitting ability.

1919 season he set a new home run record (29) and led the league in runs, RBIs, and slugging. Winter 1919 he was sold to the New York Yankees. Over the next two years he hit 113 home runs and thus became nicknamed "The Sultan of Swat." He led the league in home runs eight of the next ten years.

In 1927 he broke his own record by hitting 60 home runs. During his twenty full seasons, he led the league in home runs 12 times, runs 8 times, RBI's 6 times, and slugging 13 times. His 714 career home runs was a record until 1974 when Hank Aaron broke it.

Lifetime batting average: .342. He is the all-time leader in home run percentages (8.5), walks (2056), and slugging (.690). He is second of all time in runs and RBIs. He hit 15 home runs in 41 World Series games. He ranks in the top ten in nine World Series categories.

Was released after 1934 season and joined the Boston Braves as Vice President, assistant manager, and outfielder. Hit his final six home runs in the National League. He retired after playing 28 games in Boston. Was one of the first five elected to the Hall of Fame in 1936, receiving 95% of the vote (215 out of 226).

Yankees retired his number (#3)

He died of cancer at the age of 53.

Babe Ruth's 714 Home runs by position:

1. Left field: 313 home runs

2. Center field: 19 home runs

3. Right field: 354 home runs   

4. Pitcher: 15 home runs

5. First base: 13 home runs

These home runs came with the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, & Boston Braves.

Babe Ruth was one of only two people (Reggie Jackson being the other) to ever hit three home runs in a World Series game and is the only one to do it twice (1926 & 1928).

Babe Ruth and Ralph Kiner ranked first and second respectively as the outfielders with the highest average home runs per at-bat.

Babe Ruth is credited with the invention of the modern baseball bat. He was the first player to order a bat with a knob on the end of the handle. Louisville Slugger produced the bat which he hit 29 home runs in 1919.

Babe Ruth holds the record for pitching the longest complete game victory in World Series history. In 1916, as a member of the Boston Red Sox, Ruth went 14 innings to defeat the New York Giants 2-1.

Babe Ruth led the American League in home runs 12 times.

Babe Ruth has the most base on balls with 2,056

When Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs in 1927, he hit 14% of all home runs in his league that year. For a player to hit 14% of all home runs today, he would have to hit over 300 homeruns in one season.

"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime."

"The only real game, I think, in the world is baseball."

"Baseball was, is, and always will be to me the best game in the world."

"I thank heaven we have had baseball in this world... the kids...our national pastime."

"If I'd tried for them dinky singles I could've batted around six hundred."

"To my sick little pal. I will try to knock you another homer, maybe two today."

"Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen. You know how bad my voice sounds. Well, it feels just as bad. You know this baseball game of ours comes up from the youth. That means the boys. And after you've been a boy, and grow up to know how to play ball, then you come to the boys you see representing themselves today in our national pastime."