Babe Ruth
The Bambino and Sultan of Swat, Babe Ruth rose from a reformatory to become baseball's greatest legend.
George Herman "Babe" Ruth (February 6, 1895 – August 16, 1948) 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 star left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, but achieved his greatest fame as a slugging outfielder for the New York Yankees. 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 to the Baseball Hall of Fame as one of its "first five" members.
- Role
- Outfielder / Pitcher
- Affiliation
- Boston Red Sox (1914–1919)
- Status
- Hall of Famer
- Key Achievement
- Broke MLB single-season home run record with 29 in 1919
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
At age seven, Ruth was sent to St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys. In 1914, Ruth was signed to play Minor League baseball for the Baltimore Orioles but was soon sold to the Red Sox. By 1916, he had built a reputation as an outstanding pitcher who sometimes hit long home runs, a feat unusual for any player in the dead-ball era. Although Ruth twice won 23 games in a season as a pitcher and was a member of three World Series championship teams with the Red Sox, he wanted to play every day and was allowed to convert to an outfielder. With regular playing time, he broke the MLB single-season home run record in 1919 with 29.
In Their Own Story
Before becoming a global icon with the Yankees, Ruth was a dominant force in Boston. In 1914, he arrived after being signed by Jack Dunn for the Baltimore Orioles, only to be quickly sold to the Red Sox. Initially a pitcher, Ruth posted remarkable numbers, winning 23 games in two separate seasons and contributing to three World Series victories. Yet, his true impact emerged when he transitioned to the outfield to play daily. The result was historic: in 1919, he hit 29 home runs, breaking the MLB single-season record. This performance signaled the shift from a low-scoring strategy game to the live-ball era dominated by power hitting. Despite his success, ownership decisions led to his departure after that season.
Reader's Guide
After that season, Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold Ruth to the Yankees amid controversy. The trade fueled Boston's subsequent 86-year championship drought and popularized the "Curse of the Bambino" superstition. In his 15 years with the Yankees, Ruth helped the team win seven American League (AL) pennants and four World Series championships. His big swing led to escalating home run totals that not only drew fans to the ballpark and boosted the sport's popularity but also helped usher in baseball's live-ball era, which evolved from a low-scoring game of strategy to a sport where the home run was a major factor. As part of the Yankees' vaunted "Murderers' Row" lineup of 1927, Ruth hit 60 home runs, which extended his own MLB single-season record by a single home run. Ruth's last season with the Yankees was 1934, and he retired after a short stint with the Boston Braves the following year. In his career, he led the AL in home runs 12 times.
Did You Know?
- Ruth twice won 23 games in a season as a pitcher for the Red Sox.
- He broke the MLB single-season home run record in 1919 with 29 home runs.
- Ruth hit 60 home runs in 1927 as part of the Yankees' 'Murderers' Row' lineup.
- He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936 as one of its 'first five' members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Babe Ruth in Red Sox history?
George Herman 'Babe' Ruth Jr. was a transformative athlete who played for Boston from 1914 to 1919, evolving from an elite starting pitcher into the game's first modern home run superstar. He remains the franchise's most legendary figure, establishing a level of stardom that permanently changed how baseball was played and perceived.
What positions did Babe Ruth play for the Red Sox?
Ruth began his career in Boston as a dominant left-handed pitcher, earning acclaim on the mound before transitioning primarily to the outfield where he unleashed revolutionary offensive power. His rare versatility allowed him to excel in both roles, making him an unmatched two-way threat during his six seasons with the club.
What were Babe Ruth's key achievements while playing for Boston?
During his tenure, Ruth helped lead the Red Sox to three World Series titles and topped the American League in home runs three times, including a shared lead in 1915. He also posted exceptional pitching statistics before fully embracing his role as a slugger, setting new standards for offensive production at Fenway Park.
Why is Babe Ruth's departure significant to the franchise?
The sale of Ruth to the New York Yankees after the 1919 season sparked the 'Curse of the Bambino,' a superstition blaming his trade for Boston's 86-year championship drought. While Ruth achieved greater fame elsewhere, his exit reshaped the team's fortune and left a lasting shadow over Red Sox history until the curse was finally broken.
How is Babe Ruth remembered by Red Sox fans today?
Fans view Ruth as the icon who ignited Fenway Park's power era and defined the team's early golden age, despite the heartbreak associated with his eventual sale. He stands as a Hall of Famer whose dual dominance as a pitcher and hitter created an enduring legacy that remains central to Boston's baseball identity.
More in Legendary Players & Managers
Related in Boston Red Sox
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in the Boston Red Sox universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record