Babe Ruth's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Babe Ruth. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

1902: AL Single-Season Mark Set

In 1902, Ralph "Socks" Seybold set the AL single-season home run record of 16, which Babe Ruth would eventually break later in his career.

1903: Early World Series Era

Between 1903 and 1919, the Red Sox won five of the first 16 World Series.

1915: Red Sox Win World Series, Ruth's Hitting Impresses

In 1915, Babe Ruth finished the season with an 18-8 pitching record, batting .315 with four home runs. The Boston Red Sox won the American League pennant and subsequently the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Ruth was used as a pinch hitter in Game Five, grounding out against Grover Cleveland Alexander. During the season, Ruth gained a reputation for hitting long home runs; one hit at Sportsman's Park broke a window of a Chevrolet dealership on Grand Avenue.

1916: Ruth's Pitching Duels with Walter Johnson

In 1916, Babe Ruth engaged in repeated pitching duels with Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators, winning four out of five meetings. Ruth finished the season with a 23-12 record, a 1.75 ERA, and nine shutouts. The Red Sox won the pennant and World Series, with Ruth winning Game 2 in 14 innings. This was the longest World Series game until 2005, and Ruth's pitching performance remains the longest postseason complete game victory.

1918: Ruth Secures Home Run Title

During the war-shortened 1918 season, Babe Ruth primarily played as an outfielder and hit .300 with 11 home runs, securing a share of the major league home run title with Tilly Walker. He also pitched, recording a 13-7 record with a 2.22 ERA.

1918: Red Sox Win World Series

In 1918, the Boston Red Sox won their third pennant in four years and faced the Chicago Cubs in the World Series. Babe Ruth pitched and won Game One with a 1-0 shutout. Despite an injured hand, he also won Game Four, contributing with a triple, and the Red Sox secured the series victory. Ruth's 29+2⁄3 consecutive scoreless innings set a World Series record that stood until 1961.

1918: Red Sox Secure 1918 Title

In 1918, the Boston Red Sox, under the ownership of Harry Frazee, secured the title with the help of players acquired through purchase or trade, demonstrating Frazee's willingness to invest in the team.

1919: Early World Series Era

Between 1903 and 1919, the Red Sox won five of the first 16 World Series.

1919: MLB single-season home run record

In 1919, Babe Ruth broke the MLB single-season home run record, hitting 29 home runs.

1920: Cleveland Won World Series

In 1920, Cleveland won the World Series.

1921: Ruth's home run pace

As of September 6, 1927, Ruth was still several games off his 1921 pace, with 57 home runs.

1921: Yankees in 1921 World Series

In the 1921 World Series, the Yankees faced the New York Giants, losing five games to three. Ruth hit .316 and hit his first World Series home run.

1923: Yankees win AL pennant and World Series

In 1923, the Yankees dominated, securing the AL pennant by a significant margin of 17 games. Babe Ruth achieved a career-high .393 batting average and tied for the most home runs in the major leagues with 41. Ruth also hit a career-high 45 doubles. The Yankees faced the Giants in the World Series for the third consecutive year, with Ruth batting .368 and hitting three home runs, leading the Yankees to their first World Series championship in their new stadium.

1924: Ruth Wins AL Batting Title

In 1924, despite injury challenges, Babe Ruth batted .378, securing his only AL batting title, and leading the league with 46 home runs. The Yankees, however, were defeated by the Senators by two games.

1924: Ruth's Doubles

In 1931, Ruth had 31 doubles, his most since 1924.

1926: Yankees Win Pennant, World Series Loss

In 1926, Babe Ruth returned to form, batting .372 with 47 home runs. The Yankees won the pennant but lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Ruth hit four home runs during the series but was thrown out attempting to steal second base in the final game.

1927: Yankees' Historic Season and Ruth's Home Run Record

In 1927, the New York Yankees, known as Murderers' Row, had a historic season, winning a then-AL-record 110 games and the AL pennant. Babe Ruth broke his own single-season home run record, hitting 60 home runs. The Yankees swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series.

1928: Yankees Clinch Pennant and Win World Series

In 1928, the Yankees overcame injuries and inconsistent play to clinch the pennant. Babe Ruth hit 54 home runs. The Yankees swept the Cardinals in the World Series, with Ruth batting .625 and hitting three home runs in Game Four.

1928: Ruth's best in his years after 1928

In 1930, Ruth hit .359 with 49 home runs (his best in his years after 1928) and 153 RBIs, and pitched his first game in nine years, a complete game victory.

1932: 1932 World Series against the Cubs

In 1932, the Yankees played the World Series against the Cubs, with tension high due to a dispute over World Series shares. During Game Three in Chicago, amidst hostile crowds, Babe Ruth seemingly pointed to center field before hitting a home run off Charlie Root, an event that became known as Babe Ruth's "called shot". The Yankees won the game and clinched the series the following day.

July 6, 1933: First MLB All-Star Game

On July 6, 1933, Babe Ruth played right field in the first Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Comiskey Park in Chicago. He hit the first home run in All-Star Game history against Bill Hallahan in the third inning, helping the American League win the game 4–2.

July 13, 1934: 700th Career Home Run

On July 13, 1934, Babe Ruth hit his 700th career home run. Despite this milestone, it was evident that his physical abilities were declining as he played his last full season with the Yankees.

May 25, 1935: Final Game with Three Home Runs

On May 25, 1935, in a game against Pittsburgh, Babe Ruth went 4-for-4, including three home runs, but the Braves lost 11–7. The last home run was his final career home run, sailing out of Forbes Field. Ruth retired shortly after.

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.

1946: Red Sox Pennant Win

The Red Sox did not win another pennant until 1946 after winning five of the first 16 World Series between 1903 and 1919.

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: 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.

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.

1961: Ruth's World Series Record Broken

In 1961, Whitey Ford broke Babe Ruth's World Series record of 29+2⁄3 consecutive scoreless innings.

1968: Special Baseball Records Committee Rules

In 1968, the Special Baseball Records Committee unanimously ruled that a Ruth triple from July 8, 1918, should be counted as a home run, but in 1969, the committee reversed this decision.

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.

1969: Special Baseball Records Committee Reverses Decision

In 1969, the Special Baseball Records Committee reversed the 1968 decision to count a Ruth triple from July 8, 1918 as a home run.

April 8, 1974: Hank Aaron Breaks Home Run Record

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

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.

1978: Ron Guidry Ties Ruth's Shutout Record

In 1978, Ron Guidry tied Babe Ruth's 1916 league record for left-handers with nine shutouts in a single season.

1983: Honored with a Stamp

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

1991: Shore's Feat Amended

In 1991, Major League Baseball's Committee on Statistical Accuracy amended Ernie Shore's 1917 performance to be listed as a combined no-hitter rather than a perfect game.

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".

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.

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: Longest World Series Game Surpassed

In 2005, another game of the same length was played, ending Babe Ruth's Game 2 of the 1916 World Series record as the longest World Series game.

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.