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 legendary American baseball player whose MLB career spanned from 1914 to 1935. Initially a star left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, he rose to iconic status as a slugging outfielder for the New York Yankees. Ruth is celebrated as one of the greatest sports heroes in American culture and widely considered the greatest baseball player ever. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936 as one of its inaugural members.

Sections (6)

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

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

On June 13, 1902, George Herman Ruth was admitted to St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys, labeled as "incorrigible," and spent much of the next 12 years there.

1904: Death of Ruth Cleveland

Ruth Cleveland, daughter of former president Grover Cleveland, died in 1904. The Baby Ruth candy bar was later marketed, with the company claiming it was named after her.

October 17, 1914: Marriage to Helen Woodford

On October 17, 1914, Babe Ruth married Helen Woodford, a waitress he met in Boston, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Ellicott City. They were teenagers at the time.

1915: Yankees wearing pinstripes

The Yankees started wearing pinstripes uniforms since 1915.

September 1917: Conscription Introduced in US

In September 1917, with the United States' entry into World War I, conscription was introduced, affecting many baseball players, including Red Sox player-manager Jack Barry, who joined the Naval Reserve. Frazee then hired Ed Barrow as the Red Sox manager to fill the void.

1918: Flu Pandemic

After the war and the 1918 flu pandemic, the country longed for something to help put these traumas behind it.

1919: My Lady Friends Opened

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

August 1920: Ray Chapman's Death

The gradual abolition of the spitball was accelerated after the death of Ray Chapman, struck by a pitched ball thrown by Mays in August 1920.

1921: Adoption of Dorothy

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

1923: Ruth's physical shape description

In 1923, Babe Ruth was described as having a large upper body but thin wrists and legs.

1923: Surviving Teammates from 1923

In 1923, Babe Ruth's surviving teammates, who were with him, were introduced along with Ruth himself during the 25th-anniversary celebrations of Yankee Stadium.

1923: Huston bought out

In 1923, Ruppert bought out Huston.

1924: Ruth's physical shape description

In 1924, Babe Ruth was described as having a large upper body but thin wrists and legs.

1925: Separation from Helen

Around 1925, Babe Ruth and his wife Helen separated due to Ruth's infidelity and neglect.

1925: Ruth Works to Get Back in Shape

During the offseason of 1925, Babe Ruth worked out at Artie McGovern's gym to regain his fitness.

1925: Ruth's Illness and Poor Season

In early 1925, Babe Ruth's health declined, leading to a collapse in Asheville, North Carolina, and hospitalization in New York. Rumors of his death spread, and his illness was dubbed "the bellyache heard 'round the world." Playing only 98 games, Ruth had his worst season as a Yankee, batting .290 with 25 home runs. The Yankees had a losing record.

1926: Last Public Appearance with Helen

Babe Ruth and his wife Helen appeared in public together for the last time during the 1926 World Series.

1926: Cadillac Gift to Brother Matthias

In 1926, Babe Ruth demonstrated his generosity by spending $5,000 to buy Brother Matthias, his mentor from St. Mary's, a Cadillac, and later replaced it after it was destroyed in an accident.

1926: Ruth's Promise to Johnny Sylvester

In 1926, Babe Ruth promised Johnny Sylvester, a hospitalized boy, that he would hit a home run for him during the World Series. Ruth's 1926 salary was $52,000, but he earned more from other ventures, including vaudeville.

1928: Campaigning for Al Smith

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

January 1929: Death of Helen Ruth

In January 1929, Helen Ruth, Babe Ruth's first wife, died at the age of 31 in a house fire in Watertown, Massachusetts. She had been living as "Mrs. Kinder" with Edward Kinder, a dentist.

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. He also adopted her daughter Julia.

1929: Yankees Adopt Uniform Numbers

In 1929, the Yankees began wearing uniform numbers to improve fan identification. Babe Ruth, batting third, was assigned number 3.

1929: Huggins' Death and Yankees' Season

In 1929, the Yankees finished second behind the Athletics. Manager Huggins died of a bacterial skin infection on September 25. Babe Ruth hit .345 with 46 home runs.

January 7, 1930: Ruth's Salary Negotiations

On January 7, 1930, salary negotiations between Babe Ruth and the Yankees broke down due to Ruth's demand for $85,000 for three years, which was more than the US President's salary. A compromise was reached for $80,000 per year for two years.

June 1933: Golfing with Lyn Lary

In June 1933, Babe Ruth played golf at Rye Golf Club with teammate Lyn Lary and achieved the best score, with birdies on 3 holes.

1934: Barnstorming Tour of the Far East

During the 1934-35 offseason, Babe Ruth and his wife went on a barnstorming tour of the Far East. At the final stop in the United Kingdom during 1934, Ruth was introduced to cricket but lost interest after learning about the low salaries of even the best batsmen.

July 4, 1939: Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day

On July 4, 1939, Babe Ruth spoke at Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day at Yankee Stadium, honoring the retiring first baseman. A sellout crowd and members of the 1927 Yankees team attended.

1943: Last Appearance as a Player at Yankee Stadium

In 1943, during World War II, Babe Ruth made his last appearance as a player at Yankee Stadium in an exhibition game for the Army-Navy Relief Fund. He hit a long fly ball, and circled the bases, even though it went foul.

1944: Death of Judge Landis

Judge Landis, the commissioner of baseball, died in 1944. Happy Chandler became the new commissioner.

November 1946: Diagnosis of Cancer

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

1946: Illness with nasopharyngeal cancer

In 1946, Babe Ruth was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer, which he battled for two years before his death.

April 27, 1947: Babe Ruth Day

On April 27, 1947, Happy Chandler, the new commissioner of baseball, proclaimed Babe Ruth Day around the major leagues. The most significant observance was at Yankee Stadium where Ruth addressed a crowd of almost 60,000.

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: Experimental Cancer Treatment

In 1947, Babe Ruth underwent experimental cancer treatment with pterolyl triglutamate (Teropterin) and showed dramatic improvement during the summer. He also 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 six weeks he returned to New York to appear at a book-signing party.

June 5, 1948: Visit to Yale University

On June 5, 1948, a gaunt and hollowed-out Babe Ruth visited Yale University to donate a manuscript of The Babe Ruth Story to its library, meeting 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, after which he returned to the hospital for the final time.

1980: Juanita Jennings' Confession

In 1980, Juanita Jennings, while very ill, admitted to Dorothy and her sister Julia that Dorothy was Ruth's biological child from their affair.

1999: Julia Ruth Stevens' Recount

In 1999, Julia Ruth Stevens recounted the reason Babe Ruth was sent to St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys was because George Sr., Ruth's father, ran out of ideas to discipline and mentor his son.