Today In Baseball History: Happy Birthday Babe Ruth

In the dead of winter, there can still be some baseball news. February 6th marks the birthday of one of the greatest players of all time, Babe Ruth. Born in 1895, George Herman Ruth Jr. was an American professional baseball player who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1914 to 1935.

Ruth started his career as a pitcher with the Boston Red Sox and quickly became one of the best pitchers in the game. However, it was his hitting ability that really set him apart and made him a legendary player. Ruth hit a record 714 home runs in his career, which stood as the record for nearly 40 years until Hank Aaron broke it. In addition to his home run record, Ruth held the record for most runs batted in (RBIs) and most walks in a career.

Ruth's impact on the game of baseball is immeasurable. He helped to popularize the sport and paved the way for future generations of players. Ruth's legendary status and larger-than-life personality made him a cultural icon, and he remains one of the most famous athletes of all time.

In addition to Ruth's birthday, February 6th is notable for a few other events in baseball history. On this day in 2001, Cal Ripken Jr. was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Ripken is best known for his consecutive games played streak, which lasted 2,632 games and broke Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130.