George (Babe) Ruth

Known as "The Sultan Of Swat" and "The Great Bambino", "Babe" Ruth was an American hero who played baseball from 1914 to 1939. Babe Ruth was known for his big hits, and he's held the #3 spot on most homeruns ever hit only 41 behind Hank Aaron. Babe is one of the most influential and popular baseball player ever to live.

George Herman "Babe" Ruth Jr. was born on February 6, 1895 in Baltimore, Maryland. When Babe was seven years old, his parents sent him to St. Mary's industrial School for Boys. He spent twelve years at the school. When he turned fifteen, Babe joined the Varsity baseball team as a pitcher. At age 19, Babe was discovered by Jack Dunn, owner and manager of the Baltimore Orioles (which then was a minor league team.) Jack signed him to him to a contract and when other players saw him George was referred to as "Jack's newest Babe" thus creating his nickname Babe.

After playing in the minors for 5 months, Babe was called up to the majors to be a Boston Red Sox at the age of 19. After playing for the Red Sox, Babe was purchased from the New York Yankees. This would become the worst deal in MLB history and the origin of "The Curse of the Great Bambino." While the Yankees went on to win 39 American League Pennants and 26 World Series, The Boston Red Sox would not win another World Series until 2004. Babe played both pitcher and outfield. In October 1914, Babe married 17 year-old waitress Helen Woodford and later adopted a daughter named Dorothy. In 1925 he divorced Helen and in 1929 he married actress Claire Hudgson.

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In Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, Babe pointed to the center field "calling out a homerun." The pitcher Charlie Root threw the ball and Babe cracked the ball out of the park. On June 2, 1935 Babe Ruth retired. In 1946, Babe was diagnosed with throat cancer. His health declined throughout the next couple years. On June 13, 1948 Babe made his last appearance at Yankee Stadium. Unfortunately, on August 16, 1948 Babe passd away.

Babe was a very talented person who was friendly and caring. He is still a hero to all and his legacy shall live on forever.