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 celebrated American baseball player who played in MLB from 1914 to 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. Widely regarded as one of the greatest sports heroes and baseball players ever, Ruth revolutionized the game with his power hitting and charismatic personality. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936 as one of its first members, solidifying his place in baseball history.

Sections (6)

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

1921: Ruth's 1921 pace for home runs.

As of September 6, 1927, Ruth was still several games off his 1921 pace for single-season home run record.

1923: Yankees win AL pennant and World Series

In 1923, the Yankees, led by Babe Ruth, dominated the season, winning the AL pennant by 17 games. Ruth achieved a career-high .393 batting average and tied for the most home runs in the major leagues with 41. The Yankees faced the Giants in the World Series for the third consecutive year, with Ruth batting .368, hitting three home runs, and leading the Yankees to their first World Series championship, four games to two.

1924: Ruth wins AL Batting Title

In 1924, the Yankees battled the Senators due to injuries, ultimately losing the pennant by two games. Despite the team's struggles, Ruth hit .378, winning his only AL batting title, and led the league with 46 home runs.

1926: Yankees win the AL pennant, Ruth hits three home runs in World Series game

In 1926, Ruth returned to form, batting .372 with 47 home runs and 146 RBIs, leading the Yankees to win the AL pennant. In Game Four of the World Series, Ruth hit three home runs, the first time this had been done in a World Series game. However, the Yankees lost the series to the St. Louis Cardinals.

1927: Ruth's World Series Ring

In 1927, Babe Ruth had a World Series ring made and later sold by Charlie Sheen in 2017 for $2 million, a record for a championship ring.

1927: Yankees win AL Pennant, Ruth sets single-season home run record

In 1927, the New York Yankees, known as Murderers' Row, clinched first place on Labor Day, won a then-AL-record 110 games, and won the AL pennant by 19 games. Babe Ruth broke his own single-season home run record with his 60th homer on September 30 against Tom Zachary. The Yankees swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series.

1928: Yankees win World Series

In 1928, the Yankees started well but faced challenges due to injuries and inconsistent play. Despite Ruth's slump in the latter part of the season, he ended with 54 home runs. The Yankees swept the Cardinals in four games in the World Series, with Ruth batting .625 and hitting three home runs in Game Four.

1932: 1932 World Series

In 1932, the Yankees faced the Cubs in the World Series, marked by animosity stemming from the Cubs awarding only half a World Series share to Mark Koenig. Games at Yankee Stadium were won by the home team. Ruth faced hostile crowds in Chicago, where he hit a three-run home run in Game Three off Charlie Root. In the fifth inning, after taunts from the crowd, Ruth seemingly pointed to center field and then hit a home run over the center field fence. The Yankees won Game Three and clinched the series the next day.

1932: Yankees win the pennant

In the 1932 season, the Yankees went 107–47 and won the pennant. Babe Ruth's effectiveness had decreased somewhat, but he still hit .341 with 41 home runs and 137 RBIs. He was sidelined twice because of injuries.

July 13, 1934: Ruth hits 700th career home run

On July 13, 1934, Babe Ruth hit his 700th career home run. Despite his declining physical condition, he still managed a .288 batting average with 22 home runs during the season. He was also selected to the AL All-Star team for the second consecutive year.

May 25, 1935: Final Great Performance

On May 25, 1935, Babe Ruth went 4-for-4 with three home runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates, including two off Guy Bush. The last home run was the first ball hit completely out of Forbes Field. He retired on June 2 after an argument with Fuchs.

1936: Baseball Hall of Fame Inaugural Class

In 1936, Babe Ruth was one of the first five players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, unlike the other four members (Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, and Walter Johnson), Ruth was not offered a managerial position.

April 27, 1947: Babe Ruth Day

On April 27, 1947, Happy Chandler declared "Babe Ruth Day" around the major leagues, with the most significant observance at Yankee Stadium, where teammates and others honored Ruth.

1947: Improvement and Promotional Work

In 1947, Babe Ruth showed dramatic improvement from cancer treatment and 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.

1965: Yankees last season with a losing record until 1965.

In 1925, The Yankees finished next to last in the AL with a 69–85 record, their last season with a losing record until 1965.

1969: Greatest Player Ever

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

1983: Honored with Postal Stamp

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

1998: Ranked as greatest baseball player

In 1998, The Sporting News ranked Babe Ruth number one on the list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players", solidifying his reputation as the greatest baseball player of all time.

1999: Named to 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. Also in 1999, the Associated Press named Ruth the greatest athlete of the 20th century, while an ESPN poll ranked him the second-greatest North American athlete of the century, behind Michael Jordan.

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: Named on "New York Mount Rushmore of Sports"

In 2022, The Sporting News named Babe Ruth on their "New York Mount Rushmore of Sports".

2025: Ruth's salary record margin as of 2025

On January 7, 1930, salary negotiations between the Yankees and Babe Ruth broke down. Ruth demanded at least $85,000 and three years, eventually settling for two years at $80,000 per year, more than 2.4 times greater than the next-highest salary that season, a record margin as of 2025.