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 who played in MLB from 1914 to 1935. Initially a star left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, he achieved iconic status as a slugging outfielder for the New York Yankees. Widely regarded as one of the greatest sports heroes and baseball players of all time, Ruth was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936 as one of its inaugural members. His impact on baseball and American culture remains significant.

Sections (6)

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

1902: Ruth breaks AL single-season record

On July 29th, Babe Ruth broke the AL single-season mark of 16, set by Ralph "Socks" Seybold in 1902.

1909: Babe Adams' World Series Heroics

In 1909, Babe Adams, a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, became a World Series hero, highlighting the popularity of the 'Babe' nickname in baseball at the time.

July 11, 1914: Ruth Arrives in Boston and Wins First Game

On July 11, 1914, Babe Ruth arrived in Boston. Also on this day, he reportedly met Helen Woodford and won his first game as a pitcher for the Red Sox, defeating the Cleveland Naps 4-3.

1915: Red Sox Win World Series, Ruth Not Called to Pitch

In 1915, Babe Ruth finished the season with an 18-8 record as a pitcher and a .315 batting average with four home runs. The Red Sox won the AL pennant and the 1915 World Series, but Ruth was not called upon to pitch due to the pitching staff being healthy. Ruth was used as a pinch hitter in Game Five and grounded out. During the season he hit a ball that soared over Grand Avenue, breaking the window of a Chevrolet dealership.

1916: Ruth Engages in 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 matchups. Ruth went 23-12 for the season, leading the league with a 1.75 ERA and nine shutouts. The Red Sox won the pennant and World Series. Ruth started and won Game 2, 2-1, in 14 innings, which was the longest World Series game until 2005.

1918: Red Sox secure the 1918 title

In 1918, the Boston Red Sox, aided by Harry Frazee's willingness to spend for players, secured the World Series title.

1918: Red Sox Win World Series, Ruth Wins Two Games

In 1918, the Red Sox faced the Chicago Cubs in the World Series. Babe Ruth pitched and won Game One, a 1-0 shutout. In Game Four, despite injuring his hand, Ruth pitched and contributed a triple to give his team a lead. He was later relieved but remained in the game as a left fielder. The Red Sox won the Series, marking Ruth's third and last World Series pitching victory. Ruth's consecutive scoreless innings record stood for over 40 years.

1918: Ruth Shares Home Run Title

In the war-shortened 1918 season, Babe Ruth primarily played as an outfielder. He hit .300 with 11 home runs, sharing the major league home run title with Tilly Walker of the Philadelphia Athletics. He also had a 13-7 record as a pitcher.

1918: Ruth Ties Career Best Home Run Total

On July 5th and a week later in two consecutive games, Babe Ruth scored 1 home run each raising his season total to 11 tying his career best from 1918.

1920: Cleveland wins the World Series

In 1920, Cleveland won the World Series.

1921: Ruth Breaks Career Home Run Record

In 1921, Babe Ruth broke Roger Connor's career home run record of 138. He finished the regular season with 59 home runs, batting .378 and with a slugging percentage of .846.

1921: Ruth's Home Run Pace

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

1921: Yankees vs. Giants in World Series

In the 1921 World Series, the Yankees played the New York Giants, losing five games to three. Ruth scraped his elbow during Game 2, yet he played in the next three games and pinch-hit in Game Eight.

April 18, 1923: Yankee Stadium Opens

Yankee Stadium opened on April 18, 1923, with Babe Ruth hitting the first home run in what was quickly dubbed "the House that Ruth Built".

1923: Yankees win AL Pennant and World Series

In 1923, the Yankees dominated the season, securing the AL pennant by a significant 17-game lead. Babe Ruth achieved a career-high .393 batting average and tied for the most home runs in the major leagues with 41. Additionally, Ruth hit 45 doubles, a career-high, and set a major league record with 379 times reaching base. The Yankees faced the Giants in the World Series for the third consecutive year and won the series. Ruth's performance was outstanding with a .368 batting average, eight walks, eight runs scored, three home runs, and a 1.000 slugging percentage, marking the Yankees' inaugural World Series championship in their new stadium.

1924: Yankees battle for pennant, Ruth wins batting title

In 1924, the Yankees, facing injury challenges, contended with the Senators for the pennant. Despite a strong performance in September, they were defeated by the Senators by two games. However, Babe Ruth achieved a .378 batting average and secured his only AL batting title, also leading the league with 46 home runs.

1927: Ruth's 1927 World Series ring

In 1927, Babe Ruth received a World Series ring, which was later sold by Charlie Sheen for $2 million in 2017.

1927: Yankees' record-breaking season and Ruth's 60 home runs

In 1927, the New York Yankees, known as Murderers' Row, had a historic season, clinching first place on Labor Day, winning a then-AL-record 110 games, and securing the AL pennant by 19 games. Babe Ruth broke his own single-season home run record, hitting his 60th homer on September 30 off Tom Zachary. He finished the season with a .356 batting average, 164 RBIs, and a .772 slugging percentage. The Yankees swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series.

1928: Yankees' season and Ruth's performance

In 1928, the Yankees started strong but faced challenges due to injuries and inconsistent play. They eventually regained first place and clinched the pennant. Babe Ruth's performance mirrored the team's, with a hot start followed by a slump. He finished the season 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 against the Cubs

In 1932, the Yankees played the World Series against the Cubs. Ruth faced hostile crowds in Chicago, but he hit a memorable home run in Game Three, which has become known as Babe Ruth's called shot. The Yankees ultimately won the game and the series.

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

On July 13, 1934, Babe Ruth hit his 700th career home run. Despite this milestone, his performance was considered to be declining compared to his previous standards.

May 25, 1935: Last three home runs

On May 25, 1935, Babe Ruth played in the third game of the Pittsburgh series. He went 4-for-4, including three home runs. The final home run sailed out of the park over the right field upper deck–the first time anyone had hit a fair ball completely out of Forbes Field.

1936: Hall of Fame Induction

In 1936, Babe Ruth was one of the first five players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, he was the only one of the five not offered a managerial position.

April 27, 1947: Babe Ruth Day

On April 27, 1947, Babe Ruth Day was celebrated throughout the major leagues, with a significant observance at Yankee Stadium, honoring Ruth's career.

1947: Experimental Cancer Treatment

In 1947, Babe Ruth underwent experimental treatment with pterolyl triglutamate (Teropterin) for his cancer, showing dramatic improvement and doing promotional work for Ford Motor Company on American Legion Baseball.

April 19, 1949: Monument Unveiled

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 by Whitey Ford

In 1961, Whitey Ford broke Babe Ruth's World Series record of 29+2⁄3 consecutive scoreless innings, initially set in 1918.

1968: Special Baseball Records Committee Ruled Hit as Home Run

In 1968 the Special Baseball Records Committee unanimously ruled that, along with 36 other hits, hit by Ruth on July 8th, 1918 should be considered a home run.

1969: Special Baseball Records Committee Reversed Decision on Hit

In 1969 the Special Baseball Records Committee reversed its decision that, along with 36 other hits, hit by Ruth on July 8th, 1918 should be considered a home run. This decision was based on the perceived importance of preserving Ruth's home run total at 714.

1969: Baseball's Greatest Player Ever

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

1978: Ron Guidry Ties Ruth's Shutout Record

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

1983: United States Postal Service honored Ruth

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

1991: Shore's Feat Amended to Combined No-Hitter

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

1998: The Sporting News Ranked Him Number One

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

1999: Baseball All-Century Team

In 1999, baseball fans named Ruth to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

2005: Longest World Series Game Record Broken

In 2005, the longest World Series game record was broken, previously held by Babe Ruth, who pitched a 14-inning game in 1916.

2017: Ruth's 1927 World Series ring sold

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

2018: Ruth awarded 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.