The greatest baseball player ever — the Sultan of Swat transformed batting statistics so completely that he hit more home runs than entire teams and changed the sport forever.
George Herman Ruth Jr. was born in Baltimore in 1895 and grew up at St Mary's Industrial School. New York Yankees purchased him in 1920 for $100,000 — then the largest transaction in baseball history. His career produced 714 home runs, a .342 batting average and seven World Series championships. He hit 60 home runs in 1927 — the single-season record until Roger Maris in 1961. He also posted a 94-46 pitching record with a 2.28 ERA. He transformed baseball into a power-hitting sport. His 1927 Yankees are widely considered the greatest team in baseball history. He died of throat cancer in 1948 aged 53. He was in the inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame class in 1936. He is the defining figure in the history of baseball.
Revolutionary power hitter who transformed baseball from dead-ball era to home run era
How They Played
Power hitter and pitcher, left-handed batter and thrower
Lasting Impact
Considered greatest baseball player ever, saved MLB after 1919 Black Sox scandal
World Series Champion 7x
In 1927 he hit 60 home runs — more than the total of every other American League team combined.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- World Series Champion 7x
- 714 career home runs
- 60 HR season 1927 (then record)
- MLB Pitching record ERA 2.28