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, 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.

Sections (6)

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

1902: Ralph "Socks" Seybold's AL Single-Season Mark

In 1902, Ralph "Socks" Seybold set the AL single-season home run mark of 16.

1903: Red Sox first World Series win

In 1903, the Red Sox won one of the first World Series.

1916: Pitching Duels with Walter Johnson

In 1916, Babe Ruth engaged in repeated pitching duels with Washington Senators' ace Walter Johnson, winning four of their five meetings. He went 23–12 for the season with a 1.75 ERA and nine shutouts. The Red Sox won the pennant and World Series.

1918: Red Sox Secured Title

In 1918, the Red Sox secured the title due to Frazee's willingness to spend for players, resulting in a championship win.

1918: World Series Victory

In 1918, the Red Sox won the World Series against the Chicago Cubs. Babe Ruth won Game One and contributed to the Game Four win, marking his last World Series pitching victory.

1919: Broke MLB Single-Season Home Run Record

In 1919, Babe Ruth broke the MLB single-season home run record with 29 home runs, showcasing his talent as an outfielder.

1919: Red Sox fifth World Series win

In 1919, the Red Sox won one of the first World Series.

1920: Cleveland World Series Win

In 1920, Cleveland won the World Series.

1920: Ruth's breakout performance alters baseball play

Prior to 1920, home runs were unusual in baseball. In 1920, Babe Ruth had a breakout performance that season. After the 1920 season, Ruth's performance settled, for all time to come, that the American public is nuttier over the Home Run than the Clever Fielding or the Hitless Pitching.

1921: Ruth's home run pace

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

1921: Ruth breaks single season home run record

In 1921, Ruth hit his 55th home run, breaking his year-old single-season record. Ruth finished the regular season with 59 home runs, batting .378 and with a slugging percentage of .846.

1921: Yankees in the World Series

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

1923: Yankees win World Series

In 1923, the Yankees won the AL pennant by 17 games and went on to win the World Series against the Giants, four games to two. Ruth batted .368 with three home runs during the series. He also had a career-high .393 batting average and tied for the most home runs in the major-leagues that year.

1924: Ruth wins AL batting title

In 1924, Ruth won his only AL batting title, hitting .378, with a league-leading 46 home runs.

1924: Doubles Record

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

1926: Normal Production and World Series Loss

In 1926, Babe Ruth batted .372 with 47 home runs and 146 RBIs, leading the Yankees to win the pennant. In Game Four of the World Series, Ruth hit three home runs, a first in World Series history. However, the Yankees lost the series to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game Seven, with Ruth getting thrown out while attempting to steal second base.

1927: Home Run Against Tom Zachary

In 1927, Babe Ruth faced Tom Zachary on a September afternoon.

1927: 60 Home Runs in a Season

In 1927, as part of the Yankees' "Murderers' Row" lineup, Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs, extending his own MLB single-season record. This feat occurred during his time with the New York Yankees.

1927: Record-Breaking Season and World Series Victory

In 1927, the New York Yankees, known as Murderers' Row, dominated the season, winning a then-AL-record 110 games. Babe Ruth pursued his single-season home run record, ultimately hitting his 60th homer on September 30th off Tom Zachary. The Yankees swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series.

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.

1928: Inconsistent Performance and World Series Victory

In 1928, the Yankees experienced injuries and inconsistent play, but managed to clinch the pennant. Babe Ruth started strong but slumped later in the season, ending with 54 home runs. The Yankees swept the Cardinals in the World Series, with Ruth batting .625 and hitting three home runs in Game Four.

1932: World Series Called Shot

In the 1932 World Series against the Cubs, marked by animosity and hostile crowds, Babe Ruth allegedly made a "called shot" by gesturing towards center field before hitting a home run off Charlie Root in Game Three. The Yankees won the game and clinched the series the following day.

July 13, 1934: Hit 700th career home run

On July 13, 1934, Babe Ruth hit his 700th career home run while playing his last full season with the Yankees. Despite a .288 batting average and 22 home runs, these numbers were considered "merely mortal" compared to his previous standards.

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.

1946: Red Sox pennant win

In 1946, the Red Sox won another pennant.

April 27, 1947: Babe Ruth Day observed in major leagues

On April 27, 1947, Babe Ruth Day was celebrated throughout the major leagues. A significant observance occurred at Yankee Stadium, where Ruth addressed a crowd of nearly 60,000, his voice weakened by his illness.

1947: Ruth treated with Teropterin and shows improvement

In 1947, Babe Ruth was treated with pterolyl triglutamate (Teropterin) and showed significant improvement during the summer. His case was presented at a scientific meeting, and he was able to do promotional work for Ford Motor Company on American Legion Baseball.

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.

1961: World Series Record Broken

In 1961, Whitey Ford broke Babe Ruth's World Series record of 29+2⁄3 consecutive scoreless innings, which had stood for more than 40 years.

1968: Special Baseball Records Committee Ruled

In 1968, the Special Baseball Records Committee unanimously ruled a hit by Babe Ruth in 1918 as a home run, along with 36 other hits.

1969: Ruth named baseball's Greatest Player Ever

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

1969: Committee Reversed Decision

In 1969, the Special Baseball Records Committee reversed its 1968 decision, due to the importance of preserving Babe Ruth's home run total at 714.

1978: Ron Guidry ties Ruth's Shutout Record

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

1983: Ruth honored with US Postal Service stamp

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

1991: Shore's Game Amended

In 1991, MLB's Committee on Statistical Accuracy amended Ernie Shore's 1917 game, originally listed as a perfect game, to be listed as a combined no-hitter.

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.

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: 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: Red Sox World Series win

In 2004, the Red Sox won another World Series.

2005: Longest World Series Game

Until 2005, Babe Ruth's 14-inning complete game victory in the 1916 World Series was the longest World Series game ever played.

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.