How Babe Ruth Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

How the contributions of Babe Ruth continue to shape the world today.

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

1920: 1920 Yankees Jersey Sold

Babe Ruth's 1920 Yankees jersey sold for $4.4 million in 2012 (equivalent to $6.05 million in 2024).

1921: Baby Ruth candy bar Marketed

The Baby Ruth candy bar was first marketed in 1921 by the Curtis Candy Company, who maintained that it was named after Ruth Cleveland.

August 1922: Barnstorming Rule Changed

In August 1922, the rule regarding barnstorming was changed to allow limited participation for World Series players with Landis's permission.

April 18, 1923: Yankee Stadium Home Opener

On April 18, 1923, Yankee Stadium was completed, and Babe Ruth hit the first home run in what was quickly dubbed "the House that Ruth Built."

1927: World Series Ring

Charlie Sheen sold Babe Ruth's 1927 World Series ring for $2 million in 2017, a record for a championship ring.

1932: "Called Shot" Jersey Sold

The jersey Babe Ruth wore when hitting his "called shot" home run in the 1932 World Series sold in 2024 for a record $24 million.

1934: Hat of Ruth set a record

A hat of Babe Ruth's from the 1934 season set a record for a baseball cap when David Wells sold it at auction for $537 thousand in 2012.

1936: Election to Baseball Hall of Fame

In 1936, Babe Ruth was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame as one of its "first five" inaugural members, solidifying his legacy as a baseball legend.

August 16, 1948: Babe Ruth's Death

On August 16, 1948, George Herman "Babe" Ruth passed away. He was a celebrated American professional baseball player with a 22-season career in Major League Baseball (MLB).

April 19, 1949: Unveiling of Monument

On April 19, 1949, the Yankees unveiled a granite monument in Babe Ruth's honor in center field of Yankee Stadium.

1969: Baseball's Greatest Player Ever

In 1969, Babe Ruth was named baseball's Greatest Player Ever in a ballot commemorating the 100th anniversary of professional baseball.

1973: Increase in Public Interest in Ruth

At least five books were written about Babe Ruth in 1973 to capitalize on the increase in public interest as Hank Aaron approached his career home run mark.

April 8, 1974: Hank Aaron Breaks Home Run Record

Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's career home run record on April 8, 1974.

1974: Renovation of Yankee Stadium

From 1974 to 1975, Yankee Stadium was remodeled, resulting in the outfield fences moving inward and enclosing the monuments from the playing field.

1974: Opening of Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum

In 1974, Babe Ruth's birthplace in Baltimore was renovated and opened to the public as the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum.

1975: Renovation of Yankee Stadium

From 1974 to 1975, Yankee Stadium was remodeled, resulting in the outfield fences moving inward and enclosing the monuments from the playing field.

1983: Honored with a Stamp

In 1983, the United States Postal Service honored Babe Ruth with a twenty-cent stamp.

1993: Most Recognized Athlete in America

In 1993, the Associated Press reported that Muhammad Ali was tied with Babe Ruth as the most recognized athlete in America.

1995: Ruth Estate Licenses Likeness

In 1995, Babe Ruth's estate licensed his likeness for use in an advertising campaign for Baby Ruth.

1998: Ranked as Baseball's Greatest Player

In 1998, The Sporting News ranked Babe Ruth number one on the list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players".

1998: Autopsy Review

In 1998, a physician reviewed Babe Ruth's autopsy and concluded that Ruth's lifelong use of tobacco "probably played a part" in his cancer.

1999: Statements by Ruth's Family

In 1999, Babe Ruth's granddaughter and daughter, stated that Ruth was deeply hurt and depressed by his inability to land a managerial role with the Yankees.

1999: Charlie Devens Interview

In 1999, Charlie Devens, Babe Ruth's surviving teammate from the 1932 World Series, was interviewed about the "called shot" incident during Game Three against the Chicago Cubs. Devens stated that he did not believe Ruth intended to indicate where he planned to hit the ball.

1999: All-Century Team and Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century

In 1999, baseball fans named Babe Ruth to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. The Associated Press also named Ruth the greatest athlete of the 20th century in 1999.

December 2, 2004: Yankee Stadium Bat Sold at Auction

On December 2, 2004, the bat with which Babe Ruth hit the first home run at Yankee Stadium fetched $1.265 million at auction.

2004: Red Sox World Series Win

The Red Sox did not win another World Series until 2004 after winning five of the first 16 World Series between 1903 and 1919. The drought was attributed in baseball superstition to Frazee's sale of Ruth, dubbed the "Curse of the Bambino".

2005: Baby Ruth Official Candy Bar of MLB

In 2005, Baby Ruth became the official candy bar of Major League Baseball.

2006: Ruth's Popularity

In 2006, Montville stated that more books have been written about Babe Ruth than any other member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and that Ruth is probably even more popular today than he was then.

2008: Replacement of Yankee Stadium

After the 2008 season, Yankee Stadium, "the House that Ruth Built", was replaced with a new Yankee Stadium across the street from the old one.

2012: Yankees Jersey and Baseball Cap Sold at Auction

In 2012, Babe Ruth's 1920 Yankees jersey sold for $4.4 million. A hat of Ruth's from the 1934 season also set a record for a baseball cap when David Wells sold it at auction for $537 thousand in 2012.

2017: World Series Ring Sold

In 2017, Charlie Sheen sold Babe Ruth's 1927 World Series ring for $2 million, a record for a championship ring.

2018: Posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2018, Babe Ruth was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump; his grandson Tom Stevens accepted the award on his behalf.