Babe Ruth Day is celebrated on April 27th every year. It was first celebrated in 1947 and started by Mr. Albert B. Chandler. Chandler was Commissioner of Baseball from 1945 to 1951. Ruth had been diagnosed with throat cancer and Chandler was concerned about his health.
After visiting Babe in the hospital, Albert Chandler decided to create a day that would always celebrate The Babe. On April 27, 1947, Babe Ruth summoned all his strength and paid a visit to Yankee Stadium. It was a tear-filled ceremony at the “House that Ruth Built.”
When is Babe Ruth Day?
In 2021, Babe Ruth Day falls on Wednesday, April 27.
FAQ’s
Here are frequently asked questions about the Babe.
How do I celebrate Babe Ruth Day?
So, you want to celebrate Babe Ruth Day, here are ways you can remember The Bambino:
Call up your friends and family and organize a softball game. Playing softball is a fantastic way to remember The Babe. Also, you are less likely to hurt yourself.
Put together a Baseball Game watching party. You can use baseball-themed invitations and encourage your friends to bring baseball-themed appetizers.
Watch a baseball movie like Sandlot, Field of Dreams, Major League, Little Big League, or A League of Their Own. To really honor the Sultan of Swat, watch the movie The Babe Starring John Goodman.
Have a contest with your friends and family over who can tell the best Babe Ruth story. You could even create Babe Ruth trivia questions.
Attend a baseball game. It does not have to be a professional game. Go to a College, High School, or Amateur League game. You could even watch a Little League game.
When did Babe Ruth Play Baseball?
He played in the Major Leagues from 1914 to 1935 for a total of 22 seasons. He started playing as a pitcher, but later switched to the outfield.
How Many Baseball Teams did Babe Ruth play for?
Babe Ruth played for the Baltimore Orioles (Minor League), Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and the Boston Braves. He played only briefly for the Baltimore Orioles before he was sold to Boston.
He played for the Boston Red Sox for six years. His longest tenure was with the New York Yankees where he spent fifteen years. He finished his career with one season at the Boston Braves.
Check out the tribute to Babe at the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Fun Facts About Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth started as a pitcher. He had 23 wins twice in his career but he wanted to play in every game. He convinced the Yankees to let him go to the outfield and the rest is history.
In 1919 Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold Ruth and two other pitchers to the New York Yankees. Ruth won seven world championships with the Yankees while the Red Sox had an 86-year championship drought. Known as the Curse of the Bambino, this deal would haunt Red Sox fans for years to come.
His later contracts contained a morals clause. This was caused by information from detectives that said he was with six different women in one night. His morals clause said no fraternization, a curfew of 10:00 PM, and no drinking.
His first monthly salary in baseball was $100.
In 2018 President Donald Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Babe Ruth posthumously.
Ruth and two other pitchers involved in the Curse of the Bambino were sold to the Boston Red Sox. The announced sum was $25,000.
He was one of five inductees in the inaugural group of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.
He served jail time for reckless driving.
His past indiscretions cost him the possibility of managing a major league team. However, he was hired by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1938 to be a first base coach. The Brooklyn Dodgers uniform was the last he ever wore in the Major Leagues.
He is the only player with the last name of Ruth to play in a major league game.
Babe Ruth Quotes
All the following quotes are attributed to Babe Ruth:
Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.
Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games.
All ballplayers should quit when it starts to feel as if all the baselines run uphill.
You can’t beat a person who never gives up.
Reading isn’t good for a ballplayer. Not good for his eyes. If my eyes went bad even a little bit, I couldn’t hit home runs. So, I gave up reading.
Take a swing at more Babe Ruth Quotes and Sayings.
NIcknames for Babe Ruth
Yes, he was born George Herman Ruth Jr., but everyone knew him as Babe. However, that was not his only nickname, he compiled many over his years in baseball. Here is a list of Babe Ruth nicknames:
Babe – His most popular nickname Babe came from his time playing with the Baltimore Orioles minor league team. Ruth was only 19 years old when he was recruited by the team. To play for the team at that age, the owner, Jack Dunn, had to serve as Babe’s legal guardian. They referred to Ruth as “Dunn’s new babe,” and the name stuck.
The Behemoth of Bust – Babe Ruth stood at six feet two inches and weighed 215 pounds. He was larger than life and this nickname was an accurate description.
The Colossus of Clout – A nickname that also references his size. His size and considerable abilities allowed him to hit forty-plus home runs yearly. A feat he accomplished for many of the seasons throughout his career.
The Mauling Monarch – For his entire 22-year career in the majors, Ruth ruled the baseball diamond like a King. He set many records that would not be touched for years. He was a king of the sport.
The King of Swing, The King of Clout, The King of Crash – Fans labeled Ruth with these nicknames because he was the king at hitting home runs. He hit them hard and long.
The Kid of Crash – Dubbed “The Kid,” Babe started his professional career at only nineteen. Ruth also had a terrible time remembering names and he called everyone kid.
The Great Bambino Monikers
The Great Bambino – This nickname is a nod to Babe Ruth’s Italian heritage. His Italian fans called him Bambino which means baby in Italian.
The Maharaja of Mash – Another royalty nickname, Maharaja means ruling prince or king. This is additional testimony to his ability to rule the ballpark by crushing home runs. He was also referred to as the Raja of Rap.
The Sultan of Swat – The press gave Ruth this nickname and it became a fan favorite. It was a perfect nickname for someone who dominated the game the way Ruth did.
The Wizard of Whack – He was a magician at the plate and the first to ever hit 60 home runs in a single season. It seemed in 1927 that only a wizard would be capable of Ruth’s feats.
Endearments for Babe
The Big Bam – A name was given to him by his teammates. The press liked this nickname and began using it regularly.
The Terrible Titan – A nickname that was possibly given to him by his opponents. Opposing teams would get a chill when Ruth stepped into the batter’s box. He struck fear at the plate.
The Blunderbuss – A reference to a 17th-century weapon that was deadly and loud – some of Ruth’s characteristics on and off the field.
The Sachem of Slug – Babe Ruth is still the all-time leader in slugging percentage. He also led the league in RBIs with 168 until Lou Gehrig surpassed him with 173. Slugging percentage is the total number of bases a player records per at-bat.
The Price of Pounders – The Prince holds two unique one-of-a-kind distinctions in professional baseball. He hit the first home run in the first All-Star Game. He hit the first home run in Yankee Stadium
By Tim Moodie
Tim Moodie is a big sports fan including baseball and football. Babe Ruth was also a fan of both. A well-known picture exists that shows Babe Ruth “practicing” with the University of Minnesota Gopher Football Team.
Extra Innings
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