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Babe Ruth's Birth
George Herman "Babe" Ruth was born on 216 Emory Street in Pigtown, along with 7 other children, although only he and his sister Mamie survived. His parents were Katherine Schamberger and George Herman Ruth, Sr. -
George "Babe" Ruth sent to St. Mary's
Known as a trouble maker in his childhood, he was sent by his parents to this mixture of a church, a school, and an orphanage. The church enforced religion as well as discipline. This church was important due to Brother Mathias, who worked there and helped introduce to him the concept of baseball, especially some baseball leagues within the church. Ruth would spend 12 years within St. Mary's. -
Katherine Schamberger dies
Even though he was rarely visited by his family, Ruth was still sad about his mother's death. The funeral was also one of the few times the church allowed him to go out. -
Babe Ruth's first Major League game
On this day, he was a little over nineteen years old, and he had begun his first professional, official game. He would later go on to become a star pitcher on the field, which gained him respect, even though his teammates didn't like his “crude manner, wild eating habits, and … carefree playing style that hard-nosed veterans viewed as lackadaisical". -
"Babe" Nickname origin
On the same day of his Major league game, his future manager Jack Dunn watched him. He was impressed, and later signed a contract with him. Due to his treatment of Ruth, others called him "Dunn's babe", leading to his nickname of "Babe" ruth. -
Ruth Candy Bar
1915: A year in which the "Baby Ruth" Candy bar was featured many times, based on Babe Ruth's nickname, showing that he was already becoming famous in such a short time. -
Ruth's father's death
His father had surprisingly, remarried, and within a fight amongst his family, his father had died. -
Yankees buy Ruth
Ruth's 1919 season was excellent, with 29 homeruns, a major league record. He had experience in more than 100 games, and also a 9-5 score as a pitcher. With his mastery in the field, the pitch, and the bat, Ruth had become a popular target for teams. The Yankee was one such team, and it managed to buy him for over 100,000$. He did not disappoint them, with many home runs. His salary was so high that later he even managed to build a Yankee Stadium for his team. -
Ruth's wife dies
Ruth's wife, Helen Ruth, died in a fire on this date. Her true identity's discovery became a national sensation, and Babe cried at the funeral. He would later marry another woman named Claire Hodgson. -
Ruth's "Called Shot"
Inarguably Ruth's most controvercial game, this included Babe making a pointing gesture in game 3 of the 1932 World Series. The meaning of his gesticulations remain ambiguous, even with a video from the time and a few eye-witnesses. Ray Kelly, Ruth's guest for the game, said: "He absolutely did it ... I was right there. Never in doubt." However, a Washington Post columnist believed Ruth pointed to, and insulted, the pitcher. -
Babe's last game
Even in his poor physical condition already, he still played one last game for the Braves against the Phillies. They won the game, but more importantly, the crowd gave a standing ovation as Ruth's career came to an end. Ruth would officially retire from baseball only a few months later. -
Babe Ruth inducted into Hall of Fame
Along with other famous baseball players such as Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner, George was put into the baseball hall of fame. He was tied for second vote along with Honus. -
Admitted into hospital
Ruth was getting sick--he had cancer. "The entire left side of his face was swollen, his left eye was closed, and he was unable to eat solid food." He was described. He would later sink into a depression and only have his physical condition grow worse and worse. -
Farewell Speech
This day would later become "Babe Ruth day". "...The only real game in the world, I think, is baseball. You've got to let it grow up with you, and if you're successful and you try hard enough, you're bound to come out on top, just like these boys have come to the to the top now." He spoke to the children in a croaky, dry voice. Even though he was sick and unwell, he still gave a sincere and inspiring message to everyone. -
Death of Babe Ruth
At the age of 53, Babe Ruth died due to cancer and poor health within his sleep on this day. His funeral mass within St. Cathedral had an estimated 75,000 witnesses.
