On September 24, 1934, baseball legend Babe Ruth played his last game as a Yankee in New York at Yankee Stadium. At 39 years old, only 4,000 fans were in attendance for his finale against the Boston Red Sox. Ruth was walked in the first inning and then replaced by a pinch-runner. Little did anyone know at the time that this would be his final game with the Yankees, as he was traded in the off-season. Interestingly, this day marked a double-landmark for Ruth, as September 24, 1919, was also the date he became baseball’s single-season home run record holder, 15 years prior.
In 1919, at just 24 years old, Ruth was a pitcher and outfielder for the Boston Red Sox. He had a successful season, with a .322 batting average and 114 runs batted in. On September 30, 1927, he hit his 28th home run of the season, breaking the single-season record at the time. Ruth finished the year with 29 home runs before transitioning to a full-time outfielder with the New York Yankees the following year. As a Yankee, he smashed 54 home runs in his first season with the team. Ruth’s career reached a significant milestone on August 11, 1929, when he became the first player to hit 500 career home runs.
Throughout his career, Ruth was known for his impressive home run record, with 714 total home runs by the time he retired. His record stood until 1974 when Hank Aaron surpassed him, and later Barry Bonds broke it in 2007, reaching a total of 762 home runs. Ruth was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936, alongside other baseball legends like Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, and Honus Wagner. The Yankees retired Ruth’s No. 3 jersey, as he was a key player in the team’s seven World Series championships.
Ruth’s impact on the game of baseball extended beyond his impressive statistics. He was well-regarded by fans and players alike, and his death in 1948 from throat cancer was met with an outpouring of grief from the public. Over 100,000 fans paid their respects as his body lay in state at Yankee Stadium for two days. Ruth’s legacy as one of the greatest baseball players of all time continues to be celebrated, with his influence seen in the sport to this day. His contributions to baseball history are commemorated in numerous ways, including his induction into the Hall of Fame and the retirement of his jersey number by the Yankees.
Overall, Babe Ruth’s career was defined by his incredible talent as a hitter and his impact on baseball. From his record-breaking home run feats to his iconic status as a Yankee, Ruth remains a legendary figure in the sport. His lasting legacy is upheld by his place in baseball history and the continued reverence for his contributions to the game. Through milestones like his last game with the Yankees in 1934 and his record-setting home runs, Ruth’s influence on baseball endures as a testament to his skill and passion for the game.
