Childhood and Education Journey of Babe Ruth in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Babe Ruth. A timeline of key moments.

Babe Ruth, nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat," was a celebrated American baseball player who played in MLB from 1914 to 1935. Initially a star left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, he gained legendary status as a slugging outfielder for the New York Yankees. Widely regarded as one of the greatest sports heroes and baseball players ever, Ruth revolutionized the game with his power hitting and charismatic personality. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936 as one of its first members, solidifying his place in baseball history.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

June 13, 1902: Entered St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys

On June 13, 1902, Babe Ruth entered St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys, a reformatory and orphanage. He was recorded as "incorrigible" and spent much of the next 12 years there.

October 17, 1914: Marriage to Helen Woodford

On October 17, 1914, Babe Ruth married Helen Woodford, who was a waitress, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Ellicott City.

1915: Yankees had been wearing pinstripes since 1915.

Before the 1929 season, Yankees announced that the Yankees would wear uniform numbers. The Yankees had been wearing pinstripes since 1915.

1918: Flu Pandemic

The 1918 flu pandemic hit the country hard, leading to a longing for something to help put these traumas behind it, which Babe Ruth helped fulfill.

1921: Adoption of Dorothy

In 1921, Babe Ruth and his wife Helen adopted a daughter named Dorothy.

1923: 25th Anniversary Celebrations

Babe Ruth and his surviving teammates were introduced on June 13, 1948, when Ruth visited Yankee Stadium for the final time in his life to celebrate the 25th-anniversary of "The House that Ruth Built" from 1923. He used a bat as a cane.

1925: Separation from Helen

Around 1925, Babe Ruth and his wife Helen separated reportedly because of Ruth's repeated infidelities and neglect.

1925: Ruth works out at Artie McGovern's gym to get back in shape

During the offseason of 1925–26, Babe Ruth worked out at Artie McGovern's gym to get back into shape. The Yankees, rebuilt by Barrow and Huggins with young players like Tony Lazzeri and Lou Gehrig, were not expected to win the pennant.

1925: Ruth collapses and is hospitalized

In early 1925, Babe Ruth's health deteriorated due to his lifestyle. He collapsed in Asheville, North Carolina, and was hospitalized in New York, with rumors circulating about his death. His illness was attributed to binging on hot dogs and soda pop, known as "the bellyache heard 'round the world." Ruth played only 98 games and had his worst season as a Yankee.

1926: Last Public Appearance with Helen

In 1926, Babe Ruth and his wife Helen made their last public appearance as a couple during the World Series.

1926: Gifted Brother Matthias a Cadillac

In 1926, Babe Ruth gifted Brother Matthias, his mentor from St. Mary's, a Cadillac as a gesture of gratitude. He later replaced it after the car was destroyed in an accident.

1926: Ruth promises Johnny Sylvester a home run

The 1926 World Series was known for Babe Ruth's promise to Johnny Sylvester, a hospitalized 11-year-old boy, that he would hit a home run for him. Ruth fulfilled his promise and visited the boy in the hospital after the series. Ruth's salary was $52,000, but he made at least twice as much in other income, including $100,000 from vaudeville.

1927: Members of the 1927 Yankees

In July 4, 1939, members of the 1927 Yankees and a sellout crowd turned out to honor Lou Gehrig. Babe Ruth spoke at Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day at Yankee Stadium to honor Gehrig, who was retiring due to ALS.

1928: Campaigning for Al Smith

In 1928, Babe Ruth, a self-described Democrat, campaigned for Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Al Smith.

April 17, 1929: Marriage to Claire Merritt Hodgson

On April 17, 1929, Babe Ruth married actress and model Claire Merritt Hodgson, three months after the death of his first wife.

1929: Yankees adopt uniform numbers

Before the 1929 season, Yankees announced that the Yankees would wear uniform numbers. Ruth batted third and was given number 3. The Yankees had been wearing pinstripes since 1915.

1929: Yankees finish second, Manager Huggins dies

In 1929, the Yankees were unable to catch the Athletics despite Ruth's performance. Manager Huggins died at 51 of erysipelas on September 25, after managing the team. The Yankees finished second, 18 games behind the Athletics.

1932: Rift with Lou Gehrig

In 1932, a comment by Lou Gehrig's mother about Claire's treatment of Dorothy caused a seven-year rift in Babe Ruth's relationship with teammate Lou Gehrig.

June 1933: Golf Game at Rye Golf Club

In June 1933, Babe Ruth played golf at Rye Golf Club with his teammate Lyn Lary. Ruth posted the best score, making birdies on 3 holes. His appearance drew spectators and headlines, highlighting his celebrity status even off the baseball field.

1934: World Tour and Cricket Introduction

During the 1934-35 offseason, Babe Ruth toured the world with his wife, including a barnstorming tour of the Far East. In the United Kingdom, he was introduced to cricket, where he hit massive shots as a baseball batter and destroyed the bat. However, his interest waned upon learning about the lower pay for even the best cricket batsmen.

July 4, 1939: Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day

On July 4, 1939, Babe Ruth spoke at Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day at Yankee Stadium to honor Gehrig, who was retiring due to ALS. Members of the 1927 Yankees were present.

1943: Final Appearance as a Player

In 1943, during World War II, Babe Ruth made his last appearance as a player at Yankee Stadium in an exhibition for the Army-Navy Relief Fund. He hit a long fly ball, which curved foul, but he circled the bases anyway.

1944: Death of Judge Landis

Judge Landis died in 1944, which led to Happy Chandler becoming the new commissioner who would proclaim April 27, 1947 as Babe Ruth Day.

November 1946: Diagnosis of Cancer

In November 1946, Babe Ruth entered French Hospital in New York for tests, which revealed that he had an inoperable malignant tumor at the base of his skull and in his neck.

1946: Illness with Nasopharyngeal Cancer

In 1946, Babe Ruth became ill with nasopharyngeal cancer, which would eventually lead to his death two years later. This marked the beginning of his final years, during which he still made public appearances.

April 27, 1947: Babe Ruth Day

On April 27, 1947, Happy Chandler declared "Babe Ruth Day" around the major leagues, with the most significant observance at Yankee Stadium, where teammates and others honored Ruth.

1947: Writing of Autobiography

By late 1947, Babe Ruth was unable to help with the writing of his autobiography, The Babe Ruth Story, which was almost entirely ghostwritten.

1947: Improvement and Promotional Work

In 1947, Babe Ruth showed dramatic improvement from cancer treatment and did promotional work for the Ford Motor Company on American Legion Baseball.

February 1948: Trip to Florida

In February 1948, Babe Ruth left for Florida, doing what activities he could, after being in and out of the hospital in Manhattan.

June 5, 1948: Visit to Yale University

On June 5, 1948, Babe Ruth, looking gaunt, visited Yale University to donate a manuscript of The Babe Ruth Story to its library and met with future president George H. W. Bush.

July 26, 1948: Premiere of 'The Babe Ruth Story'

On July 26, 1948, Babe Ruth left the hospital to attend the premiere of the film The Babe Ruth Story. Shortly thereafter, he returned to the hospital for the final time.

1974: Stadium Remodel

In 1974, Yankee Stadium was remodeled, resulting in the outfield fences moving inward and enclosing the monuments from the playing field.

1975: Monument Park Enclosure

In 1975, the remodeling of Yankee Stadium was completed. The outfield fences moved inward and enclosing the monuments from the playing field. This area was known thereafter as Monument Park.

1980: Juanita Jennings Confession

In 1980, Juanita Jennings admitted to Dorothy, Babe Ruth's adopted daughter, that Dorothy was Ruth's biological child by her.

1999: Ruth's Depression

In 1999, Babe Ruth's granddaughter, Linda Tosetti, and his daughter, Julia Ruth Stevens, stated that his inability to land a managerial role with the Yankees caused him to feel hurt and slump into a severe depression.