Babe Ruth My Childhood Hero

As a boy I remember watching those black and white videos of babe Ruth hitting home runs and running above normal speeds. Those videos always seemed faster than normal and the players not quite as athletic as today's ball players. Although baseball has come along way since the 1930s, history was made and yesteryears records are rarely broken.

Born on February 6, 1895 George Herman Ruth, Jr better known as The Babe had a talent that was apparent at an early age. As a boy, The Babe played as a catcher then at about 15 years of age he started pitching. The Babe had talent in many positions and his swing was remarkable. His pitching and batting talent was immediately noticeable.

At age 19 The Babe was recognized by Jack Dunn owner and manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Jack was known as one of the best talent scouts in baseball of his time. When other players saw the young Ruth they referred to him as Jacks Newest Babe, from that day on George Herman Ruth, Jr was known as The Babe.???

Perhaps one of the most famous moments in baseball history and certainly of Babe Ruth's career would have to be the called shot during - Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, Babe came up to bat with a count of two balls and two strikes he pointed to the center field bleachers then slammed what is believed to be the longest homerun ever hit out of Wrigley Field. The Yankees went on to win the 1932 World Series, their third sweep in four years.

The Yankees knew they were getting a star when they purchased the Babe from the Red Sox, but had no idea that they would be 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.

Babe later retired from playing baseball and tried to take up a manager's position although with not much success. He later spent time giving talks on radio to hospitals and orphanages. Babe was among the first five to be inducted into the Hall Of Fame along with Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson and Honus Wagner.

In the fall of 1946 he was diagnosed with throat cancer. The Babes health continued to decline through 1948 when he made his last appearance at the stadium where his legend was born. Babe Ruth died August 16, 1948 at the age of 53.?? Of all the players in baseball history, none has ever reached the mythic status of Babe Ruth. Since his death, Babe continues to be formally recognized for his accomplishments.