How Babe Ruth Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

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

George Herman "Babe" Ruth, an iconic American baseball player, played 22 MLB seasons (1914-1935). Initially a star left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, he gained legendary status as a slugging outfielder for the New York Yankees. Known as "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat," Ruth is celebrated as a sports hero and arguably the greatest baseball player ever. He was among the first five elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.

Sections (6)

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

1920: Ruth's Impact on Baseball

After the 1920 season, Ruth's breakout performance led to home runs becoming more popular than traditional "inside baseball" tactics. This shift occurred as fans favored home runs over clever fielding or hitless pitching, influencing how baseball was played and managed.

1920: 1920 Jersey Sold

In 2012, Babe Ruth's 1920 Yankees jersey sold for $4.4 million (equivalent to $6.2 million in 2025), making it one of the most expensive pieces of sports memorabilia ever sold.

1921: Baby Ruth Candy Bar Marketed

In 1921, the Curtiss Candy Company began marketing the Baby Ruth candy bar, claiming it was named after Ruth Cleveland, the daughter of President Grover Cleveland, though this occurred during the height of Babe Ruth's popularity.

1927: Babe Ruth Stares Out at Tom Zachary

In 1927, Babe Ruth faced Tom Zachary on a September afternoon, a moment that solidified his image as an American icon. His recognizable face and baseball prowess have made him a symbol of American success and the embodiment of the sport's appeal, representing warm summer nights, peanuts, beer, and the potential for a long ball.

1927: 1927 World Series Ring Sold

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

1932: "Called Shot" Jersey Sale

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

1934: Ruth's Hat Sold

In 2012, David Wells sold Babe Ruth's hat from the 1934 season at auction for $537 thousand, setting a record for a baseball cap.

June 5, 1948: Ruth Visits Yale and Donates Manuscript

On June 5, 1948, a frail Babe Ruth visited Yale University to donate a manuscript of "The Babe Ruth Story" to the library. He met with George H. W. Bush, who was the captain of the Yale baseball team at the time.

June 13, 1948: Ruth's Last Visit to Yankee Stadium

On June 13, 1948, Babe Ruth made his final visit to Yankee Stadium for the 25th-anniversary celebration of "The House that Ruth Built". Using a bat as a cane due to his failing health, he was photographed by Nat Fein, a photo that later won the Pulitzer Prize.

1948: The Babe Ruth Story Film

In 1948, the film "The Babe Ruth Story" was released, incorporating legends about Babe Ruth's pitching habits, such as signaling his curveball by sticking out his tongue.

April 19, 1949: Monument Unveiled at Yankee Stadium

On April 19, 1949, the Yankees unveiled a granite monument in Babe Ruth's honor in center field of Yankee Stadium, placed alongside monuments for Huggins and Gehrig.

1969: Greatest Player Ever

In 1969, Babe Ruth was named baseball's Greatest Player Ever in a ballot.

1974: Stadium Remodel

From 1974 to 1975, Yankee Stadium was remodeled, resulting in the outfield fences moving inward and enclosing the monuments from the playing field, creating what was then known as Monument Park.

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. The museum features artifacts from his life, including rare baseball cards and his earliest known signature.

1975: Stadium Remodel

From 1974 to 1975, Yankee Stadium was remodeled, resulting in the outfield fences moving inward and enclosing the monuments from the playing field, creating what was then known as Monument Park.

1983: US Postal Service Honors Ruth

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

1993: Athlete Recognition

The Associated Press reported in 1993 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 the Baby Ruth candy bar.

1998: The Sporting News Ranking

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

1998: Review of Ruth's Autopsy

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

1999: Granddaughter and daughter discuss Ruth's depression

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

1999: All-Century Team and Greatest Player Ever

In 1999, baseball fans named Babe Ruth to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Additionally, he was named baseball's Greatest Player Ever in a 1969 ballot.

2004: Bat Sold at Auction

In 2004, the bat with which Babe Ruth hit the first home run at Yankee Stadium was sold for $1.265 million (equivalent to $2.1563 million in 2025), setting a record as the most expensive baseball bat sold at auction, according to The Guinness Book of World Records.

2005: Baby Ruth Becomes Official Candy Bar

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

2006: Books on Ruth

In 2006, Montville noted that Babe Ruth had more books written about him than any other member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

2008: New Yankee Stadium Opens

After the 2008 season, Yankee Stadium, "the House that Ruth Built", was replaced with a new stadium across the street. Monument Park was subsequently moved to the new venue behind the center field fence.

2012: 1920 Jersey Sold

In 2012, Babe Ruth's 1920 Yankees jersey sold for $4.4 million (equivalent to $6.2 million in 2025), making it one of the most expensive pieces of sports memorabilia ever sold.

2017: 1927 World Series Ring Sold

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

2022: Rankings of Ruth

In 2022, The Sporting News named Babe Ruth on their "New York Mount Rushmore of Sports", while ESPN ranked him as the greatest baseball player ever that same year.