Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth is one of the most famous baseball players in history. He was known for hitting many home runs and for changing the way people played baseball. His real name was George Herman Ruth Jr., but everyone called him “Babe Ruth.” He is still remembered today as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

This is the story of Babe Ruth’s life, his achievements, and how he became a legend in American sports.

Early Life
Babe Ruth was born on February 6, 1895, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. His parents were George Herman Ruth Sr. and Kate Ruth. Babe grew up in a very poor family. His parents worked hard, but they didn’t have much money. Babe had seven brothers and sisters, but sadly, most of them died when they were very young. Only Babe and his sister, Mamie, survived.

When Babe was young, he got into a lot of trouble. He didn’t listen to his parents, and he often skipped school. His parents thought he needed more discipline, so when Babe was seven years old, they sent him to St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, a school for troubled boys. This school was like an orphanage and taught boys how to behave.

Learning to Play Baseball
At St. Mary’s school, Babe met a man named Brother Matthias. Brother Matthias worked at the school and loved baseball. He saw that Babe was very good at the sport and taught him how to play better. Babe learned how to hit the ball far and how to be a good pitcher. He practiced every day, and soon, he became the best baseball player at the school.

Babe spent many years at St. Mary’s, and baseball became his passion. He wanted to play professionally one day, but he didn’t know if he would get the chance.

Becoming a Professional Baseball Player
When Babe was 19 years old, his dream came true. In 1914, a baseball scout saw Babe play and was very impressed. This scout worked for the Baltimore Orioles, a professional baseball team. He offered Babe a contract to play for the Orioles, and Babe became a professional baseball player.

Because Babe was so young, his teammates called him “Babe,” which is a nickname for “baby.” The name stuck, and from then on, everyone called him Babe Ruth.

Babe only played a short time with the Baltimore Orioles before he was sold to the Boston Red Sox, another professional team. He started as a pitcher for the Red Sox and quickly became one of the best pitchers in the league. Babe could throw the ball very fast and with great control. He helped the Red Sox win many games.

Moving to the New York Yankees
In 1919, something big happened that changed Babe’s life forever. The owner of the Boston Red Sox sold Babe to the New York Yankees. This was a very important moment in baseball history because Babe Ruth would go on to become a superstar with the Yankees.

When Babe joined the Yankees, he didn’t play as a pitcher anymore. He became an outfielder and focused on hitting. Babe was very good at hitting home runs, and soon he became known as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history.

In 1920, Babe hit 54 home runs in one season, which was a record at that time. The next year, he hit 59 home runs. Fans loved watching Babe play, and soon, he became the biggest star in baseball.

The Home Run King
Babe Ruth was known as the “Home Run King” because he could hit the ball so far. In 1927, Babe had his best season ever. He hit 60 home runs in one season, setting a new record that lasted for many years. This record made Babe Ruth a legend, and people came from all over the country to watch him play.

Babe helped the New York Yankees win many championships. With Babe on the team, the Yankees won the World Series five times. Babe was not just famous for his home runs—he was also a great leader on the field.

Babe Ruth’s Personality
Babe Ruth was not just a great baseball player; he was also known for his big personality. He loved to have fun, eat a lot of food, and spend time with friends. Babe was very popular with fans and loved signing autographs for children. Even though he was a superstar, Babe never forgot his humble beginnings. He often visited sick children in hospitals and gave money to charities.

However, Babe also had some problems. He liked to party and didn’t always take care of his health. Sometimes, this affected his performance on the field. But despite these challenges, Babe always worked hard to be the best player he could be.

The End of Babe Ruth’s Career
By the 1930s, Babe Ruth was getting older, and his skills started to slow down. In 1935, Babe decided to retire from baseball after 22 years of playing professionally. He finished his career with 714 home runs, which was a record that lasted for many years until it was broken by Hank Aaron in 1974.

After retiring, Babe wanted to become a manager for a baseball team, but no team hired him. This made Babe sad, but he still stayed involved with the sport by helping young players and appearing at special events.

Life After Baseball
After retiring from baseball, Babe’s health started to get worse. He had problems with his weight and his heart. In 1946, doctors told Babe he had cancer. Babe continued to fight the disease, but he became very sick.

In 1947, Major League Baseball held a special day to honor Babe Ruth at Yankee Stadium. Thousands of fans came to see him and thank him for everything he had done for baseball. Babe was very sick at the time, but he was happy to see how much people loved him.

Sadly, Babe Ruth passed away on August 16, 1948, at the age of 53. His death was a great loss to the world of baseball and to his fans all over the world.

Babe Ruth’s Legacy
Babe Ruth’s impact on baseball and American culture is still felt today. He changed the game of baseball by making home runs more popular and exciting. Before Babe, most teams focused on strategy and defense. But Babe’s power hitting showed that home runs could win games, and this made baseball more fun for fans.

Many people believe Babe Ruth was the greatest baseball player of all time. He was one of the first five players to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936, an honor that celebrates the best players in baseball history.

Babe Ruth’s name is still known all over the world, even by people who don’t watch baseball. His life story is a reminder that with hard work, determination, and a love for what you do, you can achieve great things.

Conclusion
Babe Ruth was more than just a baseball player—he was a national hero. He came from a difficult childhood but worked hard to become one of the most famous athletes in history. His powerful home runs, his larger-than-life personality, and his love for the game of baseball made him a legend. Even today, Babe Ruth is remembered as a symbol of America’s national pastime.


True/False Questions

1 - Babe Ruth was born in Baltimore, Maryland.
2 - Babe Ruth started his professional baseball career with the New York Yankees.
3 - Babe Ruth was known as the “Home Run King” because he hit many home runs.
4 - Babe Ruth helped the New York Yankees win five World Series championships.
5 - Babe Ruth retired from baseball in 1935 after playing for 22 years.

Open-Ended Questions

1 - What was Babe Ruth’s real name?
2 - Why was Babe Ruth sent to St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys?
3 - Who helped Babe Ruth become a better baseball player at St. Mary’s?
4 - How did Babe Ruth get the nickname “Babe”?
5 - Which team did Babe Ruth play for before he joined the New York Yankees?
6 - What record did Babe Ruth set in 1927, and why was it important?
7 - How did Babe Ruth change the way people played baseball?
8 - What challenges did Babe Ruth face in his personal life?
9 - Why did Major League Baseball hold a special day to honor Babe Ruth in 1947?
10 - How is Babe Ruth remembered today in the world of baseball?