Biography
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Jack’s Newest Babe
George's talent was apparent at an early age. During his years at St. Mary's, he continued to play a variety of positions on the school baseball teams. He played catcher most often during those years, until he started pitching around the age of 15. His pitching prowess was immediately noticeable, and he alternated at both catcher and pitcher on St. Mary's varsity team.
When George was 19, Jack Dunn, owner and manager of the Baltimore Orioles (a Boston Red Sox minor league team at the time), recognized the young man's talent and signed him to a contract. Jack was widely known as one of the best scouts in baseball. When the other players saw the strapping young Ruth, they referred to him as "Jack's newest babe." George Herman Ruth, Jr. was known as the "Babe" ever since.
"The House That Ruth Built"
The Yankees knew they were getting a star when they purchased Babe Ruth from the Red Sox, but they had no idea they were changing the course of modern sports history. In what became known as the "Curse of the Bambino," the New York Yankees would go on to win 39 American League Pennants and 26 World Series Titles. The Red Sox, on the other hand, did not win another World Series until 2004.
In 1920, his first season in New York, Babe destroyed his own home run record he set the year before. He slammed an astounding 54 home runs, nearly double his previous record of 29. When Ruth joined the Yankees, the team shared the Polo grounds with the New York (baseball) Giants. Within a short time, Babe's sensational home run hitting and undeniable candor became the biggest ticket in New York City. Soon, the Yankees drew so many fans that the team could afford to build Yankee Stadium, which opened in 1923. The famous stadium became known as "The House that Ruth Built." Fittingly, he hit a home run on opening day. Later that season the Yankees began a tradition of excellence that continues today by winning their first World Series title.
