Babe Ruth: Inspiring History

Sports Superstar

This episode of Inspiring History looks at the Profile in Character of one of the best known people in the history of the United States: George Herman “Babe” Ruth (February 6, 1895 to August 16, 1948)).

The Babe is a great example since he is so well known and there is clear evidence of his attributes. There is also a furtherance of how he himself was inspired by one who came before him, perhaps without which he would not have been “the greatest baseball player of all time” as most observers will refer to Ruth.

Another reason that we are looking at the Babe is that, to me, he is another “personal” example. During the 1940s he had spent a lot of time in my local area, having befriended a team mate who was a local—Russ Van Atta. The Babe even went to the same places to which I have been. People my parents’ age went hunting and fishing with him. They also spent crazy times carousing with hm in local haunts.

Babe Ruth also had other well-earned nicknames, such as “The Bambino” and also “the Sultan of Swat.” Early on, he was a star left-handed pitcher and then became known as a slugging outfielder, with a career of 22 seasons, from 1914 through 1935, and this in perhaps the golden era of baseball. The Babe spent those many, best, years with the world famous Yankees. During this time he was team mates with other greats and batting in the “Murderer’s Row” lineup of 1927. He took the crown of achievement in the illustrious home run area, and held the record for a long time when he hit 60 home runs in one season.

So, to me, Babe Ruth epitomized the highest levels of athletic achievement. This was ingrained through stories I personally heard about him. Having been on baseball teams it became somewhat of a spirit that was known around baseball circles. Through Babe Ruth’s greatness, I became inspired. Yes, being one-on-one with another can instill the good traits one has, but if they are really good in what they do their qualities can move beyond themselves, announced by others vocally or written. It is a kind of spirit that emanates outward, like a pleasant perfume. Good qualities can be contagiously spread.

And it can be handed down through generations. As a boy, Babe Ruth’s family sent him to a boys school. At the school Brother Matthias was a greatly respected person for his strength and for his fairness. It is stated that for the remainder of his life, Babe Ruth would praise Brother Matthias. It is also said that Ruth’s running and hitting were closely related to those of his teacher. The following quote is attributed to Babe Ruth: "I think I was born as a hitter the first day I ever saw him hit a baseball.” The older man “became a mentor and role model to Ruth. Brother Matthias calmly provided attention to the delinquent juvenile. Brother Matthias provided a spark of response in the boy's soul.”

Imagine the great things that we might do if we took on the good qualities of those who came before us and put them to their best use!

Of course, I was not the only one affected by Ruth’s talents. Babe Ruth has been regarded as one of the greatest sports heroes in the American Culture. The "Home Run King" was another monicker for him, he was a larger-than-life figure. Sportswriter Wagenheim said, "He appealed to a deeply rooted American yearning for the definitive climax: clean, quick, unarguable." Another, Montville, called Babe Ruth a folk tale of American success.

Such can the good qualities embodied in character impress generations and make the world a better place with happiness and achievment.

Episode 14