Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum

George Herman Ruth, better known as Babe Ruth, baseball's famous "Sultan of Swat," was born here in the home of his maternal grandparents on February 6, 1895. Famous for his record-breaking statistics and flamboyant style, he was honored by the 1969 Baseball Centennial, which named him the "Greatest Player Ever." His early life was difficult: at age seven, he was judged "a hopeless incorrigible" and sent to St. Mary's Industrial School to learn the shirtmaking trade, where he remained for most of the next twelve years until February 1914, when Jack Dunn paid him $600 and became his legal guardian so he could play for the Baltimore Orioles. That marked the beginning of a legendary career. Over the 22 years that followed in the major leagues, he played in 2,503 games, collected 2,873 hits in 8,396 times at bat for a lifetime average of .342, pitched 23 winning games in two seasons in a row, hit 506 doubles and 136 triples, and in 1927 hit 60 home runs. Starting as a left-handed catcher and pitcher at St. Mary's, he became a powerful hitter who made the home run baseball's ultimate weapon and was regarded as a complete ballplayer.

Baltimore, Maryland · United States