Buzz
George Herman “Babe” Ruth is celebrated as one of the greatest baseball legends and a global sports icon. His career highlights include an unmatched 60 home runs in a single season, a lifetime total of 714 home runs, seven World Series titles, and being inducted into the first class of the Baseball Hall of Fame. At the time of his retirement, he had set an astonishing 56 baseball records, revolutionizing the game and shaping its modern era.
Although Babe Ruth retired in 1935 and many of his records have since been surpassed, his legacy remains untouchable. Was he truly that exceptional? Absolutely, and not just for his athletic prowess.
10. He Remains an Enigma
Despite being one of the most iconic athletes of the 20th century, much about Babe Ruth's life remains shrouded in mystery. His early years, in particular, are poorly documented. Born in Baltimore, he grew up in a disadvantaged area. Little is known about his father, who ran a tavern, and even less about his mother, who struggled with poor health and passed away at 39. Details about his siblings are scarce—he had seven brothers and sisters, with only one surviving to adulthood.
Even fundamental details about Babe Ruth's life are debated. For instance, it's unclear whether Herman was his middle name or a confirmation name. Additionally, his exact birthdate remains uncertain. For much of his life, Ruth believed he was born on February 7, 1894, until he found evidence suggesting it was actually February 6, 1895. However, even this date has been contested by historians.
9. He Defied Conventional Norms
Racism was deeply rooted in baseball during the early 1900s. African-American players were excluded from the Major Leagues, and Ty Cobb, the sport's biggest star at the time, was a vocal racist. Babe Ruth, however, stood apart from many of his peers. Though he never publicly condemned racism, he participated in exhibition games against African-American teams, supported fundraisers for black churches, and even welcomed Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, a renowned black entertainer, into the Yankees clubhouse.
These actions irritated baseball's leadership and might have slightly hindered Ruth’s career. Kennesaw Mountain Landis, the sport’s commissioner and a firm segregationist, attempted to stop Ruth from participating in exhibition games against Negro League teams. He even suspended Ruth from the Yankees for defying the ban. Later, Ruth’s clashes with Landis likely thwarted his dream of becoming a team manager.
8. He Overcame Significant Health Challenges
Babe Ruth was notorious for his indulgent lifestyle, often spending nights gambling, drinking, and socializing. Numerous accounts claim he arrived at games exhausted and hungover, only to deliver multiple home runs. This further solidified his larger-than-life, almost superhuman reputation among his admirers.
However, his relentless partying eventually impacted his health, as it would for anyone. In 1925, he began experiencing severe cramps and fever but pushed through. During a train journey, he collapsed, hitting his head and requiring urgent hospitalization. This incident sparked global media frenzy, with newspapers mistakenly reporting his death. The event became famously known as “The Bellyache Heard ’Round the World.”
Ruth eventually recovered, though he remained frail for the rest of the season. To this day, the exact nature of his illness is a mystery, with speculation ranging from an intestinal abscess to syphilis.
7. He Was a Pioneer in His Era
Ruth pioneered the concept of the modern celebrity athlete, excelling both on and off the field. He employed Christy Walsh to handle his contract negotiations and financial affairs—the first-ever sports agent. Beyond contracts, Walsh also acted as Ruth’s ghostwriter and managed his public image.
Walsh even arranged for Popular Science Monthly to publish a dubious article titled “Why Babe Ruth is Greatest Home Run Hitter.” The article claimed that psychologists from Columbia University tested Ruth and concluded he was 90 percent efficient, compared to the average human’s 60 percent—a wildly exaggerated claim.
Ruth was also the first athlete to hire a personal trainer, Artie McGovern, who helped him recover after his 1925 hospitalization. Unlike most athletes of his time, who worked during the offseason, Ruth focused on training. McGovern implemented a strict diet and exercise plan, enabling Ruth to return stronger and achieve his legendary 1927 season.
6. His Japanese Tour Was Unforgettable
In 1934, US-Japan relations were tense. The US had restricted Japanese immigration, and Japan had recently invaded China under questionable circumstances. Amid this backdrop, Ruth and other baseball players embarked on a goodwill tour of Japan, playing exhibition matches against local teams. Ruth, as the star attraction, drew massive crowds. However, the tour was marked by both on-field drama and behind-the-scenes intrigue.
The tour catapulted Eiji Sawamura, a young and previously unknown pitcher, into stardom. Sawamura achieved what no other Japanese player could—striking out Babe Ruth. He later became one of Japan’s most celebrated pitchers before his tragic death in World War II.
Among Ruth’s teammates was catcher Moe Berg, who secretly filmed Japanese military sites during the tour. Berg later sold the footage to the US government and became an active spy during the war.
Additionally, during the tour, Japan’s government narrowly escaped a nationalist coup. Had the coup succeeded, the American players could have faced significant danger.
5. The Legends Hold Some Truth
Two famous tales about Babe Ruth are widely known: The Called Shot and the story of Johnny Sylvester. While both have been exaggerated over time, each contains elements of truth.
The Called Shot legend claims that during a World Series game, Ruth, taunted by the opposing team, pointed to the outfield before hitting a home run to that exact spot. For years, many dismissed the story as too perfect to be true. However, while it’s unclear if Ruth pointed, he did make a gesture with his arm before the home run. Footage of the event exists but remains ambiguous.
The Johnny Sylvester story also blends fact and fiction. Johnny, a seriously ill boy—possibly near death, though his exact condition is unclear—wished for a baseball signed by Ruth. The popular version says Ruth visited Johnny, promised a home run, and delivered it the next day. In reality, Ruth sent Johnny an autographed ball and a note promising to try for a home run. Though he didn’t hit one that day, he succeeded the next and later visited Johnny, who made a full recovery.
4. He Had a Generous Spirit
At the age of seven, Babe was sent by his father to St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, a Roman Catholic boarding school primarily for orphans and troubled youth. George Sr. likely feared Babe was heading down a troubled path. It was at this school that Ruth discovered baseball, a sport that would ultimately transform his life.
Ruth never forgot his humble beginnings and dedicated much of his life to charitable causes, particularly supporting orphanages. He contributed to organizations like the American Legion Crippled Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. Later, he bequeathed a significant portion of his estate to the Babe Ruth Foundation, which focused on aiding orphans and children with disabilities. Ruth also worked with the Red Cross, assisting wounded soldiers during World War II.
After St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys was destroyed by fire in 1919, Ruth donated funds for its reconstruction. Although the school has since closed, the baseball field remains intact.
3. He Remains Unmatched (By Any Standard)
While many of his iconic records have been surpassed, baseball analysts regard Babe Ruth as the greatest player in the sport’s history. Modern statistical methods, known as sabermetrics, place Ruth far ahead of his peers. Sabermetrics employs advanced metrics—going beyond traditional stats like batting average, home runs, and RBIs—to provide a more nuanced and objective evaluation of players.
A quick look at sabermetric data reveals Ruth’s dominance. One widely used metric, Wins Above Replacement (WAR), credits him with a career total of 184—nearly 10 percent higher than the next player on the list. He also tops the charts in adjusted OPS+, a key measure of a hitter’s effectiveness. Surprisingly, he even ranks among the top 100 pitchers in Fielding Independent Pitching, showcasing his versatility. Impressive for a player whose career began over a century ago.
2. His Death Occurred During an Experimental Medical Procedure
Babe Ruth passed away at 53, just two months after his memorable final appearance at Yankee Stadium. He was believed to have throat cancer, likely due to his heavy smoking and drinking. However, recent studies suggest he may have had nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a much rarer form of cancer.
Ruth was among the earliest patients to receive chemotherapy and radiation therapy. He also took an experimental drug called teropterin, one of the first anti-cancer medications. Previously tested only on mice, the drug’s effects on humans were unknown. Ruth, aware of the risks, consented to the treatment. His condition briefly improved, offering hope that a cancer cure might one day be discovered.
1. His Home Run Count Exceeds Common Belief
During the 1920s and ’30s, “barnstorming” was a popular activity. Players would travel in the offseason, competing in exhibition matches against other major leaguers, local teams, or Negro League squads. This allowed fans nationwide to experience professional baseball while offering players additional income.
Despite being the world’s highest-paid athlete, Babe Ruth participated in barnstorming. He hit numerous home runs during these games. Estimates suggest that combining his 714 regular-season home runs, postseason homers, and barnstorming hits, he likely hit over 1,031 home runs in total.
Ruth’s barnstorming exploits added to his legendary status. One story claims he hit a 180-meter (600 ft) home run during a barnstorming game in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. If accurate, this would stand as the longest home run ever recorded.
