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Creamer, Robert W. Babe The Legend Comes to Life. Paw Prints, 2008.

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Growing up near Baltimore, Ruth often found himself in trouble as a child.

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Growing up near Baltimore, Ruth often found himself in trouble as a child.

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George Ruth Jr, he would later get the nickname "Babe" when he got to the majors, often stole, damaged, and vandalized public property as a youngster.

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A link to an article containing more information about Babe Ruth's childhood.

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A link to an article containing more information about Babe Ruth's childhood.

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It's 1895. In this year, the x-ray form of radiation is discovered. Alfred Nobel creates his last will and testament that will establish and fund the "Nobel Prize" upon his death the following year. Frederick Douglass, the ex-slave and author, and Louis Pasteur, the French microbiologist, die. J. Edgar Hoover (who will become FBI Director), Bud Abbott and Buster Keaton (both actors) are born. And, on Wednesday, February 6, 1895, so is a baby boy born to working-class parents in a brick row house in Baltimore, MD.This baby boy is George Herman Ruth, Jr., who will later become known as "Babe" Ruth - one of the greatest professional athletes of all time. The house is at 216 Emory Street, which will later become the Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum - a shrine to this baseball great.

George Jr. was the son of George Herman, a saloon keeper of German descent, and Kate, a mother with an Irish and German background. George Sr. and Kate had a total of eight children, although only George Jr. and his sister, Mamie, survived childhood. The Ruths were hardworking people. George Sr. was employed as a bartender at a local tavern and Kate also worked there. The hours were long and the work was hard. It did not leave much time for the family and raising the children.

And, George Jr. was considered to be an "incorrigible" kid, making it even harder for his time-strapped parents to properly raise their son. By age 7, George Jr. was running around the streets of the neighborhood, called "Ridgely's Delight", between the docks of the central harbor and the terminals of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. It was in these streets that young, George Jr., got himself into constant trouble, picking up some of his behavior from the dockyard workers. He was said to throw tomatoes at police officers. He was said to roughhouse and get into some minor fights. He was said to be caught chewing tobacco and occasionally drinking. In general, he was a child, lacking the supervision and discipline from adults, who didn't know better.

But at age 7, that all changed. Recognizing that they did not have the time, or maybe also the ability, to control their trouble-making son, his parents made a difficult decision. They determined that George Jr. needed a stricter environment and more direction. They sought that from the St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys, also in Baltimore, where they sent George Jr. in 1902.

Although only a few miles away from the row house where George Jr. was born and the neighborhood in which he roamed, St. Mary's School was a world apart from his former surroundings. The school was run by Xaverian Brothers- a brotherhood of lay men who take religious vows, but are not ordained. It was part orphanage, part trade school and, even, part reform school. The rules were strict and the Brothers enforced discipline. They also taught vocations to their students and encouraged participation in sports.

It was only discovered more recently, that Babe actually suffered from ADHD (attention deficit disorder), which contributed to Babe's wild, hyperactive nature - both in childhood and at times as an adult. It is also believed that Babe's ADHD was a factor in his excellent baseball skills. ADHD generally limits one's focus; however, when the mind is completely engaged in a particular subject or skill, ADHD can actually enhance that skill. Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison and Mozart are some other significant figures whose ADHD actually increased their level of ability in their field of expertise.

Being sent away to St. Mary's by his parents would ultimately have a significant impact on Babe's future personality. And, in this very different setting, George Jr.'s life began to dramatically change. It was where Babe was introduced to two of the most important influences in his life: his mentor, Brother Mathias, and his key to greatness, baseball.

Brother Mathias was one of the brothers at St. Mary's who quickly took a liking to George. Brother Mathias was one of the school's disciplinarians, yet he was the closest thing to a father figure for George while he living at St. Mary's.

Brother Mathias was stern, but kind. Most importantly, he was George Jr.'s primary source for attention and confidence while growing up in the orphanage.

St. Mary's had multiple Baseball leagues, broken out by age groups, and George Jr. was instantly drawn to the game. Several of the monks, including Brother Gilbert, taught Babe the finer points of baseball, although Brother Mathias was his first and favorite instructor of the game. In Julia Ruth Stevens' words: "I think a lot of Babe's good coordination came from when he lived at St. Mary's and played baseball with Brother Mathias. He took a great interest in Daddy and Daddy loved Brother Mathias. He was the one that introduced Babe to Baseball and showed him what the game was all about. Daddy did, he really did love Brother Mathias."

To hear a little bit more about the special relationship Babe had with Brother Mathias, please visit Julia Ruth Stevens' interview in the Audio Interviews section.

Babe later attributed his good fielding abilities to Mathias, who worked frequently with him, playing catch and hitting lobs and fungoes to George. The two of them worked for hours at a time, honing Babe's skills. Mathias can also be attributed with turning George into a pitcher. It was said that, one day, George was teasing his team's pitcher, when this pitcher was having a bad day at the mound. Brother Mathias responded by putting George into the game as a reliever for the teammate that he had just been taunting. George went in and pitched a great game. After that, he quickly became a regular pitcher.

It was as a pitcher, that George was first discovered by a professional baseball team in 1914. Jack Dunn was owner of the minor league Baltimore Orioles, and was considered by many to be a good scout for promising potential Major League players. He had heard through the grapevine about an 18-year-old by the name of George Ruth, who was part of a traveling team for St. Mary's Industrial, and was a dominant pitcher in his league. After George was scouted by the Orioles, it wasn't long before Ruth was signed to play.

In order for Ruth to play with the team, however, Jack Dunn needed to sign for him and become his legal guardian (at the time it was required for a minor to have a legal guardian until the age of 21). And so, George became a Baltimore Oriole, with Jack Dunn as his trustee.

Given that Ruth had spent most of his formative years - from age 7 to age 18 - behind the protective walls of St. Mary's, it was at first overwhelming for George to suddenly be on the outside in the real world. As such and as the youngest member of the Orioles team, he tended to tag-along with his new guardian Dunn. Legend has it that, when Babe walked to the pitcher's mound for the first time in Spring Training, with Dunn at his side, one of his new teammates shouted "Look at Dunnie and his new babe." Yet, however it actually happened, George quickly became known to the other Orioles as "Jack's babe" and, ultimately, the nickname stuck. George became most popularly known as Babe Ruth.

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It's 1895. In this year, the x-ray form of radiation is discovered. Alfred Nobel creates his last will and testament that will establish and fund the "Nobel Prize" upon his death the following year. Frederick Douglass, the ex-slave and author, and Louis Pasteur, the French microbiologist, die. J.

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A few years later, Ruth is put into St. Mary's, a Catholic school with around 800 other boys. This is where Ruth will grow up and where he will improve as a baseball player with teachings from Brother Matthias.

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A few years later, Ruth is put into St. Mary's, a Catholic school with around 800 other boys. This is where Ruth will grow up and where he will improve as a baseball player with teachings from Brother Matthias.

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Page 37 and 38 state, "In later year Matthias would work for hours with George, when both had the time, hitting the boy grounder after grounder. 'I could hit the first time I picked up a bat,' Ruth also said, 'but Brother Matthias made me a fielder.'"

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With baseball being very popular and with over 800 boys at St. Mary's the school had over 40 teams distributed throughout all the age levels. When Ruth was 18, he led his respective age group all the way to the championship game where there was plenty of people in attendance, including major league scouts. After Ruth dominated on the mound in the championship, he was approached by a member of the Baltimore Orioles and was offered a major league contract.  

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With baseball being very popular and with over 800 boys at St. Mary's the school had over 40 teams distributed throughout all the age levels. When Ruth was 18, he led his respective age group all the way to the championship game where there was plenty of people in attendance, including major league scouts. After Ruth dominated on the mound in the championship, he was approached by a member of the Baltimore Orioles and was offered a major league contract.  

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Page 50 states, "On the big day there were flags and bunting everywhere. The school buildings and the grounds and the ballfield had been swept and scrubbed and polished. The anticipated crowd was there, and, to the exultation of the boys Ruth and St. Mary's walloped Morrisette and Mount St. Joe's, 6-0, with Ruth striking out twenty-two batters during his shutout. After the game Dunn and young Ruth went into Brother Paul's office and talked for two hours, and the following February, a couple of weeks before the Orioles were to leave for spring training, Dunn came to St. Mary's again and signed George Ruth to a professional contract."

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After only a little over half of the season, it was clear the Orioles were not going to make the pennant. So Jack Dunn, the manager and owner of the team, decided to sell all his stars. On Thursday July 10, 1913, Ruth was sold to the Boston Red Sox.

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After only a little over half of the season, it was clear the Orioles were not going to make the pennant. So Jack Dunn, the manager and owner of the team, decided to sell all his stars. On Thursday July 10, 1913, Ruth was sold to the Boston Red Sox.

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Along with Ruth, two other of his teammates were sold to Boston in exchange for $30,000. Ruth did not arrive in Boston until Saturday. Once he arrived in Boston, he went to a coffee shop where his waitress was a beautiful woman named, Helen.

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Ruth didn't play much his first season with the club as he was sent down to Triple A when the Red Sox were eliminated from pennant contention. Ruth was apart of the pennant winning Providence team when he was sent down to the minor leagues. The 1915 season was a different story. Led by Ruth, Boston's lights out pitching helped them beat the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. 

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Ruth didn't play much his first season with the club as he was sent down to Triple A when the Red Sox were eliminated from pennant contention. Ruth was apart of the pennant winning Providence team when he was sent down to the minor leagues. The 1915 season was a different story. Led by Ruth, Boston's lights out pitching helped them beat the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. 

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Page 117 states, "The Red Sox were World Champions. If the youthful Ruth was disappointed because Carrigan had not let him pitch, he was cheered by the $3780.25 check he received as a member of the winning team. It was more than his annual salary." Babe felt like he couldn't go back home to Baltimore for the offseason and not see Helen for months so they got married in Baltimore.

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Website showing the stats to Ruth's first ever World Series win.

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Website showing the stats to Ruth's first ever World Series win.

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1915 World Series - Boston Red Sox over Philadelphia Phillies (4-1) | Baseball-Reference.com

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1915 World Series - Boston Red Sox over Philadelphia Phillies (4-1) series statistics and schedule.

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In a June 1916 game against Washington, Ruth showed that he had developed a slight temper problem. After walking the first batter of the game on 4 pitches, the umpire was unhappy with Ruth because he argued after every pitch. Ruth threatened the umpire and he was tossed out of the game. Ruth was furious so he stormed the plate and connected with a mean left hook.

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In a June 1916 game against Washington, Ruth showed that he had developed a slight temper problem. After walking the first batter of the game on 4 pitches, the umpire was unhappy with Ruth because he argued after every pitch. Ruth threatened the umpire and he was tossed out of the game. Ruth was furious so he stormed the plate and connected with a mean left hook.

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Page 139 states, "Ruth rushed him. Chester Thomas, the catcher, got between the angry pitcher and the umpire, but Ruth swing anyway, over the catcher's shoulder. He missed with a right, but a left caught Owens on the back of the neck." Ruth was pulled off the field by a police man. Ruth was fined $100 and was suspended for 10 days.

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Article about Babe Ruth punching an umpire and then the pitcher who relieved him threw a no-hitter.

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Article about Babe Ruth punching an umpire and then the pitcher who relieved him threw a no-hitter.

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Babe Ruth played for both the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees and had power at the plate and a rocket arm on the mound. Ruth spent 22 seasons in the big leagues and was as dominant a player as there ever was. He could hit for power, slugging more than 50 home runs in a season more than four times and hitting better than .350 in eight seasons. On the mound, Ruth had a pair of 20-win seasons and led the league in ERA once. Ruth also had a little bit of a temper and that became evident on June 23, 1917.

Babe Ruth's ridiculous statistics

Babe Ruth's numbers would probably make him the top fantasy player of all time. His statistics are jaw-dropping, especially considering he was both a pitcher and a batter for the better part of five seasons. He spent the better part of his career with the New York Yankees after spending his first six seasons with the Boston Red Sox.

As a hitter, Ruth led the league in home runs in 12 of his 22 seasons. His biggest home-run production came during the 1927 season when he hit 60 and drove in a league-leading 137 runs. He also led baseball with 158 runs scored that year. In eight seasons, he led all of baseball in runs scored. He was the league leader in runs scored for five seasons and was tops in walks for 11. His career batting average is a whopping .342, not bad for a guy who also led the league in strikeouts five times. He finished his career with 714 home runs and 2,214 RBIs.

On the mound, Babe Ruth did the bulk of his pitching for the Boston Red Sox. In 1916 and 1917, he put together consecutive 20-win seasons. During the '16 season, he finished with a record of 23-12 and led the league with a 1.75 ERA. The following season he went 24-13 with a 2.01 ERA. In his career, he was 94-46 with a 2.28 ERA.

Babe Ruth off the field

George Herman Ruth was a monster on the baseball field and he was also quite the player off it. Despite being married, he was known for chasing women and he also had a reputation for drinking and being up all hours of the night.

It got to the point where New York Yankees owner Colonel Jake Ruppert became concerned about his star. Things became so concerning that Ruppert drew up a contract in 1922 to make sure his baseball star would control his late-night drinking and partying. His behavior was so out of hand that the league had suspended him five times before August of the 1922 season.

Ruth eventually signed Ruppert's contract. He agreed to stop the drinking and to curb his late-night partying. He agreed to the terms under one condition. "I'll promise to go easier on drinking and to get to bed earlier, but not for you, fifty thousand dollars, or two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars will I give up women," Ruth said. "They're too much fun."

The Babe loses his temper, punches umpire

On June 23, 1917, Babe Ruth was on the mound for the Boston Red Sox against the Washington Senators and it didn't take much to set off the Babe that particular day. In fact, it took just four pitches. After walking leadoff hitter Ray Morgan, Ruth confronted umpire Brick Owens and the scene quickly turned ugly.

According to the Boston Globe, Ruth was upset over a couple of close pitches and after being warned and then ejected by Owens, Ruth slugged the umpire. "Then in rushed Ruth. Chester Thomas tried to prevent him from reaching Owens, who had not removed his mask, but Babe started swinging both hands. The left missed the arbiter, but the right struck him behind the left ear. Manager Barry and several policemen had to drag Ruth off the field. All season Babe has been fussing a lot. Nothing has seemed to satisfy him."

Ruth was replaced by Ernie Shore, who came in and did the unthinkable. After Morgan was caught stealing second base, Shore threw to perfection as he retired the next 26 batters. He only recorded two strikeouts in the 4-0 victory. Shore, too, went on to play for both the Red Sox and the Yankees and finished his seven-year career with a 65-43 record and a 2.47 ERA.

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Babe Ruth Once Punched an Umpire, Opening the Door for a Wild No-Hitter - Sportscasting | Pure Sports

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Babe Ruth played for both the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees and had power at the plate and a rocket arm on the mound. Ruth spent 22 seasons in the big leagues and was as dominant a player as there ever was.

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Luckily for Babe, he was not forced to serve in the first World War because he was married. Led by Ruth, the 1916 Red Sox pitching was untouchable. Ruth's bat also came alive this year as he finished 4th in the league in batting average. And because of this, the Boston Red Sox beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1916 World Series and were back to back champions.

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Luckily for Babe, he was not forced to serve in the first World War because he was married. Led by Ruth, the 1916 Red Sox pitching was untouchable. Ruth's bat also came alive this year as he finished 4th in the league in batting average. And because of this, the Boston Red Sox beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1916 World Series and were back to back champions.

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Despite being suspended 10 games early in the season for punching an umpire, Ruth finished the year with over 20 wins as a starting pitched and hit .325.

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In August on 1918, Babe was informed that his father had died in Baltimore. Ruth was away from the team for 3 days.

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In August on 1918, Babe was informed that his father had died in Baltimore. Ruth was away from the team for 3 days.

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Page 169 states, "He and the fireman had a few sharp words, and when the man left, Ruth followed him outside. They got into a fight, in the course of which Ruth fell and hit the back of his head. He was carried into the bar and then was taken to University Hospital, where he died."

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During the 1919 season, Ruth made history. Ruth passed Edward Nagle Williamson for the most home runs hit in a season. In 1884, Williamson set the record with 27. However in a game against the New York Yankees, Ruth hit his 28th of the year and put himself in the history books. He would later hit his 29th in Washington during the last weekend of the season. 

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During the 1919 season, Ruth made history. Ruth passed Edward Nagle Williamson for the most home runs hit in a season. In 1884, Williamson set the record with 27. However in a game against the New York Yankees, Ruth hit his 28th of the year and put himself in the history books. He would later hit his 29th in Washington during the last weekend of the season. 

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Page 203 states, "Ruth broke Williamson's record a few days later in New York with another landmark drive, this one over a distant section of the Polo Grounds roof-yes, the longest ever hit at the Polo Grounds, according to reports of the game."

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After the 1919 season, Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees.

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After the 1919 season, Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees.

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Page 212 states, "Huggins wired Ruppert, and in New York the press was called in and told the startling news that the Red Sox had sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees. It was Monday, January 5, 1920."

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After an outstanding 1920 season, Babe Ruth followed it up with an even more impressive 1921 season. 

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After an outstanding 1920 season, Babe Ruth followed it up with an even more impressive 1921 season. 

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Page 239 states, "He batted .378. He had 119 extra base hits (59 homers, 16 triples, 44 doubles). He scored 177 runs and batted in 170. His slugging average, .846, was one point lower than the record he set in 1920 (and which still stands), but he had 457 total bases, far beyond his 1920 figure."

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After the 1921 season in which the Yankees fell short to the Giants in the World Series, Ruth took a lot of time off. 

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After the 1921 season in which the Yankees fell short to the Giants in the World Series, Ruth took a lot of time off. 

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The league expects the players to participate in some exhibition games after the season is over. However Ruth did not do this. He and one of his teammates took a trip up to Buffalo. This angered the league commissoner. He threatened consequences on Ruth but, Babe didn't budge. Eventually, Ruth was fined his World Series earnings, $3,362, and was to be suspended the first 6 weeks of the 1922 season. This didn't hurt Ruth's wallet at all though as he later negotiated his salary to $52,000.

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In 1922, Ruth showed that he still has those same anger problems that he did when he was in Baltimore and Boston.

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In 1922, Ruth showed that he still has those same anger problems that he did when he was in Baltimore and Boston.

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Page 265 states, "On August 30 in New York Babe hit a home run in his first time at bat but was called out on strikes the second time up. He objected loudly and obscenely, and plate umpire Tom Connolly threw him out of the game. Ruth played again the next day, but on September 1 Ban Johnson notified him that he was suspended again, this time for three days for abusing the umpire. Five suspensions in one year, surely that's one Babe Ruth record nobody is ever going to break."

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Once again Ruth showed why he was the best player in baseball during the 1923 season.

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Once again Ruth showed why he was the best player in baseball during the 1923 season.

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In 1923 Babe Ruth hit .393, the highest of his career, and led the league in Home Runs with 41. He also led the league in runs scored, RBI's, total bases, slugging average and walks. Almost 50% of his hits were extra base hits and more than half of the times he was walked was on purpose so that opposing pitchers did not have to pitch to him.

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Babe Ruth followed up his 1923 season with an equally impressive 1924 season.

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Babe Ruth followed up his 1923 season with an equally impressive 1924 season.

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Ruth hit .378 to win his first and only batting title. He had 46 Home Runs and finished second in the league in RBI's. However, Ruth's strong performance didn't lead the Yankees to their third straight pennant. They finished second behind Washington.

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Ruth began not to feel well during some exhibition games prior to the 1925 season. He fought a fever that was off and on for multiple weeks.

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Ruth began not to feel well during some exhibition games prior to the 1925 season. He fought a fever that was off and on for multiple weeks.

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Finally, Ruth decided to seek medical attention. After being taken to the Hospital in an ambulance, the doctor announced that he had intestinal abscess. A 20 minute surgery was performed on Ruth. The doctor said the cause of this was because of how reckless Babe was about what he was eating and drinking during the offseason. Ruth finally left the hospital on May 26 after arriving on April 9.

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Ruth was very friendly towards reporters.

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Ruth was very friendly towards reporters.

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Ruth was the hottest topic in baseball so he was often interviewed. Ruth would always comply with reporters and would go out of his way to answer their questions. Ruth was also very friendly towards kids and would often sign autographs.

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Babe Ruth's former wife, Helen, was killed in a house fire.

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Babe Ruth's former wife, Helen, was killed in a house fire.

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Babe starting seeing Claire, another woman, around 2 years ago. He stopped seeing Helen 3 and 1/2 years ago. Helen was living with her new husband when she was killed. This deeply saddened Ruth and he attended the funeral service. Because Ruth was catholic. He could not get a divorce, so he was technically married to Helen the entire time. Her death allowed him to marry Claire.

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In the 1932 World Series, Ruth performed his famous "called shot" in which he pointed to the center field bleachers and then proceeded to hit a home run to that exact spot the very next pitch.

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In the 1932 World Series, Ruth performed his famous "called shot" in which he pointed to the center field bleachers and then proceeded to hit a home run to that exact spot the very next pitch.

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Game 3 of the 1932 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees was tied 4-4 in the 5th inning. Ruth stepped up to the plate and took 4 pitches to make the count 2-2. On the 5th pitch Ruth hit a home run to center field. It is controversial as to whether or not Ruth called his shot. There are many sources that say he did and many that say he didn't. The author of the book chooses to believe that he did not.

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Footage of Babe Ruth's supposed "Called Shot"

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Footage of Babe Ruth's supposed "Called Shot"

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQlvaiDNBMQ

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On August 16, 1948, Babe Ruth died of cancer.

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On August 16, 1948, Babe Ruth died of cancer.

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Page 424 states, ""It was a terrible moment. Ruth was so thin it was unbelievable. He had been such a big man, and his arms were just skinny little bones and his face was so haggard. When I came in he lifted his eyes towards me and raised his right arm a little, only about three or four inches off the bed, and then it fell back again' ... 'I stayed a few minutes and left and I spoke to Claire again across the hall and then I went home and the next day he was dead.'"

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Babe Ruth giving a speech during "Babe Ruth Day" in 1948.

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Babe Ruth giving a speech during "Babe Ruth Day" in 1948.