How Babe Ruth Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline
How the contributions of Babe Ruth continue to shape the world today.
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.
4 hours ago : Aaron Judge emulates Babe Ruth's achievement with a record-equalling home run for Yankees.
Aaron Judge, playing for the Yankees, matched Babe Ruth's record in MLB history with a significant home run. He launched his 14th homer of the season against the Orioles, contributing to the Yankees' victory.
1920: Yankees jersey sold for $4.4 million
A Babe Ruth 1920 Yankees jersey sold for $4.4 million in 2012, becoming one of the most expensive pieces of sports memorabilia ever sold.
1921: Baby Ruth candy bar first marketed
In 1921, at the height of the craze over Babe Ruth, the Baby Ruth candy bar was first marketed by the Curtiss Candy Company.
1927: Ruth's World Series ring sold for $2 million
In 2017, Charlie Sheen sold Babe Ruth's 1927 World Series ring for $2 million, a record for a championship ring.
1932: Jersey from "called shot" home run 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: Ruth's hat sets record for baseball cap
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" members, solidifying his place as one of the greatest sports heroes in American culture.
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.
August 16, 1948: Death of Babe Ruth
On August 16, 1948, George Herman "Babe" Ruth passed away after battling nasopharyngeal cancer. He was a celebrated American professional baseball player, known as "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat".
1948: Release of "The Babe Ruth Story"
In 1948, the film "The Babe Ruth Story" was released, incorporating legends about Babe Ruth, such as his habit of signaling his intent to throw a curveball, which allegedly made him easy to hit initially.
April 19, 1949: Yankees unveil monument in Ruth's honor
On April 19, 1949, the Yankees unveiled a granite monument in Babe Ruth's honor in center field of Yankee Stadium, located in the field of play next to tributes to Huggins and Gehrig.
1969: Ruth named baseball's Greatest Player Ever
In 1969, Babe Ruth was named baseball's Greatest Player Ever in a ballot.
1974: Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum opens
In 1974, Babe Ruth's birthplace in Baltimore was renovated and opened to the public as the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, housing artifacts from his life.
1974: Remodeling of Yankee Stadium begins
In 1974, remodeling began on Yankee Stadium resulting in the outfield fences moving inward and enclosing the monuments from the playing field.
1975: Remodeling of Yankee Stadium completed
In 1975, remodeling completed on Yankee Stadium resulting in the outfield fences moving inward and enclosing the monuments from the playing field.
1983: Ruth honored with US Postal Service stamp
In 1983, the United States Postal Service honored Babe Ruth with a twenty-cent stamp.
1993: Ali tied with Ruth as 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 for Baby Ruth ads
In 1995, the Ruth estate licensed his likeness for use in an advertising campaign for the Baby Ruth candy bar.
1998: The Sporting News ranks Ruth as number one
In 1998, The Sporting News ranked Babe Ruth number one on the list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players".
1999: Interview with Charlie Devens
In 1999, Charlie Devens, who was Ruth's surviving teammate in the 1932 World Series game, did not believe that Ruth had called his shot.
1999: Ruth named to Major League Baseball All-Century Team
In 1999, baseball fans named Babe Ruth to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.
2004: Bat sold for over $1 million
The bat with which Babe Ruth hit the first home run at Yankee Stadium sold at auction for $1.265 million in 2004.
2005: Baby Ruth becomes official candy bar of MLB
In 2005, Baby Ruth became the official candy bar of Major League Baseball.
2006: More books written about Ruth than any other Hall of Famer
In 2006, it was stated that more books have been written about Babe Ruth than any other member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
2008: Replacement of Yankee Stadium
In 2008, Yankee Stadium, "the House that Ruth Built", was replaced with a new Yankee Stadium across the street from the old one; Monument Park was subsequently moved to the new venue behind the center field fence.
2012: Yankees jersey sold for $4.4 million
A Babe Ruth 1920 Yankees jersey sold for $4.4 million in 2012, becoming one of the most expensive pieces of sports memorabilia ever sold.
2017: Ruth's World Series ring sold for $2 million
In 2017, Charlie Sheen sold Babe Ruth's 1927 World Series ring for $2 million, a record for a championship ring.
2018: Ruth posthumously awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2018, Babe Ruth was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump, with his grandson Tom Stevens accepting the award on his behalf.
2022: Bat sold for $1.6 million
A bat used by Babe Ruth sold for $1.6 million in 2022.
2022: Ruth named on NY Mount Rushmore of Sports
In 2022, The Sporting News named Babe Ruth on their "New York Mount Rushmore of Sports", and ESPN ranked him as the greatest baseball player ever.
2023: Bat sold for $1.85 million
A bat used by Babe Ruth sold for $1.85 million in 2023.
2024: Ruth's records still standing
As of 2024, Ruth's 177 runs scored, 119 extra-base hits, and 457 total bases still stand as modern-era records.
2024: Jersey from "called shot" home run 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.
Mentioned in this timeline
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Muhammad Ali nicknamed The Greatest was an iconic American professional...
Elvis Presley the King of Rock and Roll was a...
Diego Maradona was an Argentine professional football player and manager...
The Catholic Church the largest Christian church globally with over...
News encompasses current events communicated through various media including word...
Trending
11 minutes ago Tabilo at ATP Rome: Match Against Carreno Busta, Italian Open
11 minutes ago Ted Danson's Health Scare: Prioritizing Well-being and Returning to Netflix Series
1 hour ago Carlos Correa's Season Ends: Ankle Surgery Sidelines Astros Star in 2026
2 hours ago Hayden Panettiere Publicly Comes Out as Bisexual, Discussing Past Relationships with Women
2 hours ago Semaglutide: Fighting drug cravings, alcohol addiction, and heavy drinking explored.
3 hours ago IonQ's Q1 Earnings Report and Bullish Stock Forecast: Quantum Computing Sector Overview
Popular
Michael Joseph Jackson the King of Pop was a highly...
Graham Cunningham Platner is an American oyster farmer and Marine...
Rudy Giuliani is an American politician and disbarred lawyer best...
Ted Turner is an American entrepreneur and media mogul best...
Melania Trump is a Slovenian-American former model who served as...
Elizabeth Warren is a prominent American politician currently serving as...