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, an American professional baseball player (1914-1935), is widely considered the greatest baseball player ever. Initially a star left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, he achieved legendary status as a slugging outfielder for the New York Yankees. Known as "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat," Ruth revolutionized baseball with his powerful hitting. He was among the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936, cementing his place as an American sports icon.

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 at the age of seven and was recorded as "incorrigible." He spent much of the next 12 years there.

1902: Baltimore Restored to Major Leagues

In 1902, Baltimore was restored to the major leagues with the local franchise, the Baltimore Terrapins, which was the first time the city had a major league team since 1902. This event provides context for Babe Ruth's early career with the Baltimore Orioles.

1904: Death of Ruth Cleveland

Ruth Cleveland, daughter of President Grover Cleveland, died in 1904. The Baby Ruth candy bar was named after her.

1912: Renovation of St. Mary's

In 1912, the boys at St. Mary's, aged 5 to 21, renovated the facility as part of their education in work skills. Babe Ruth, as a student there, participated in this renovation.

1913: Played Weekend Games on Community Teams

In 1913, at the age of 18, Babe Ruth was allowed to leave St. Mary's to play weekend games on community teams. He was noted in newspaper articles for both his pitching and home run abilities.

July 11, 1914: Arrival in Boston and Meeting Helen Woodford

On July 11, 1914, Babe Ruth arrived in Boston and met Helen Woodford, who would become his first wife. He also won his first game as a pitcher for the Red Sox that afternoon, defeating the Cleveland Naps 4-3.

1915: Pinstriped Uniforms

The Yankees had been wearing pinstriped uniforms since 1915.

September 1917: Conscription Introduced

In September 1917, conscription was introduced in the United States, impacting baseball as most players were of draft age. Barry joined the Naval Reserve to avoid the draft.

1918: War and flu pandemic

In 1918, the country had been hit hard by both the war and the flu pandemic.

1919: My Lady Friends Play

In 1919, Frazee produced the play 'My Lady Friends,' which later became the basis for the musical 'No, No, Nanette'.

August 1920: Ray Chapman's death

In August 1920, Ray Chapman died after being struck by a pitched ball thrown by Mays.

1921: Ruth's barnstorming tour

After the 1921 World Series, Ruth participated in a barnstorming tour in the Northeast.

May 20, 1922: Suspension of Ruth lifted

On May 20, 1922, Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis lifted the suspension of Ruth.

August 1922: Barnstorming rule changed

In August 1922, the rule against barnstorming for World Series participants was changed to allow limited participation with permission.

1922: Giants refuse to renew Yankees lease

In 1922, Giants owner Charles Stoneham said the Yankees' lease, expiring after that season, would not be renewed.

1923: Ruth celebrates with teammates in Yankee Stadium

In 1923, Babe Ruth celebrated with his surviving teammates during the 25th-anniversary celebrations of "The House that Ruth Built" at the Yankee stadium.

1923: Efforts to stay in shape

In 1923, Babe Ruth tried to stay in shape, but he was described as having a large upper body with thin wrists and legs, resembling "toothpicks attached to a piano".

1923: Ruppert Bought Huston

In 1923, Ruppert bought out Huston's share of the Yankees.

1924: Continuing fitness efforts

Babe Ruth continued his efforts to stay in shape in 1924.

1925: Offseason workout and team rebuilding

During the offseason of 1925-26, Babe Ruth worked out at Artie McGovern's gym to get back into shape. The Yankees' Barrow and Huggins rebuilt the team with young players like Tony Lazzeri and Lou Gehrig.

1925: No, No, Nanette Play

In 1925, the musical 'No, No, Nanette', reportedly financed by the sale of Babe Ruth, opened.

1925: Illness and poor performance

In early 1925, Babe Ruth weighed nearly 260 pounds (120 kg) and became ill during his annual visit to Hot Springs, Arkansas. He collapsed in Asheville, North Carolina, and was hospitalized in New York. A rumor of his death circulated, and the cause of his illness, known as "the bellyache heard 'round the world", was attributed to binging on hot dogs and soda pop. He played only 98 games and had his worst season as a Yankee, with a .290 average and 25 home runs. The Yankees finished next to last in the AL.

1926: Gift to Brother Matthias

In 1926, Babe Ruth donated money and his presence at fundraisers, and spent $5,000 to buy Brother Matthias a Cadillac - later replacing it when it was destroyed in an accident.

1926: Promise to Johnny Sylvester and Income

In 1926, during the World Series, Babe Ruth promised a hospitalized 11-year-old boy named Johnny Sylvester that he would hit a home run for him. Ruth also earned a significant income, with a salary of $52,000 from baseball and at least twice as much from other ventures, including $100,000 from vaudeville.

1928: Ruth campaigns for Al Smith

In 1928, Babe Ruth, a self-described Democrat, actively campaigned for Al Smith, who was the Democratic nominee for U.S. President.

1929: Uniform Numbers Introduced

Before the 1929 season, the Yankees introduced uniform numbers, with Babe Ruth assigned number 3.

1929: Yankees Losing Season and Huggins' Death

In 1929, the Yankees started well but ultimately finished second behind the Athletics. Manager Huggins died of erysipelas on September 25, only ten days after he last directed the team.

November 1946: Ruth diagnosed with inoperable malignant tumor

In November 1946, Babe Ruth was diagnosed with an inoperable malignant tumor at the base of his skull and in his neck, identified as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, after undergoing tests at French Hospital in New York.

1946: Illness with Nasopharyngeal Cancer

In 1946, Babe Ruth became ill with nasopharyngeal cancer, which ultimately led to his death two years later.

April 27, 1947: Babe Ruth Day observed in major leagues

On April 27, 1947, Babe Ruth Day was celebrated throughout the major leagues. A significant observance occurred at Yankee Stadium, where Ruth addressed a crowd of nearly 60,000, his voice weakened by his illness.

1947: Ruth unable to help write autobiography

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

1947: Ruth treated with Teropterin and shows improvement

In 1947, Babe Ruth was treated with pterolyl triglutamate (Teropterin) and showed significant improvement during the summer. His case was presented at a scientific meeting, and he was able to do promotional work for Ford Motor Company on American Legion Baseball.

February 1948: Ruth travels to Florida and returns to New York

In February 1948, Babe Ruth left for Florida. After six weeks, he returned to New York to attend a book-signing party for his autobiography.

June 5, 1948: Ruth donates manuscript to Yale University

On June 5, 1948, a frail Babe Ruth visited Yale University to donate a manuscript of "The Babe Ruth Story" to its library and met George H. W. Bush.

June 13, 1948: Ruth's final visit to Yankee Stadium

On June 13, 1948, Babe Ruth made his final appearance at Yankee Stadium for the 25th-anniversary celebrations of "The House that Ruth Built". A famous photo of him from behind was taken at this event, which later won the Pulitzer Prize.

July 26, 1948: Ruth attends premiere of "The Babe Ruth Story" film

On July 26, 1948, Babe Ruth left the hospital to attend the premiere of the film "The Babe Ruth Story", before returning to the hospital for the final time.

1965: Yankees Losing Record

In 1965, the Yankees experienced their first season with a losing record since 1925.

1999: Julia Ruth Stevens' Recount

In 1999, Julia Ruth Stevens recounted that George Ruth Sr., Babe Ruth's father, was a saloon owner who gave Ruth little supervision, leading him to become a delinquent.