You might have heard of Babe Ruth, one of the greatest baseball players of all time. He was a legendary slugger who hit 714 home runs in his career, a record that stood for 39 years. He was also a pitcher who won 94 games and had a 2.28 ERA. He played for the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees, and the Boston Braves, and won seven World Series championships. He was nicknamed “The Bambino”, “The Sultan of Swat”, and “The Colossus of Clout”. But do you know where he went to college and how his education helped him become a successful athlete and celebrity? In this article, we will explore the college journey of Babe Ruth and learn some interesting facts about his life and achievements.
Babe Ruth’s Educational Journey
Babe Ruth did not attend any college or university. He did not even finish high school. He dropped out of school when he was 12 years old and was sent to St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, a reform school and orphanage in Baltimore, Maryland. He stayed there until he was 19 years old.
At St. Mary’s, Babe Ruth learned from some of the best teachers and mentors in the fields of religion, discipline, and baseball. His most influential mentor was Brother Matthias Boutlier, the head of the school and a baseball coach. He taught Babe Ruth how to play baseball, how to behave, and how to pray. He also gave him his first baseball glove, bat, and uniform.
During his time at St. Mary’s, Babe Ruth played baseball almost every day. He played as a catcher, a pitcher, and an outfielder. He also played other sports such as basketball, football, and boxing. He was known for his athletic talent, power, and speed.
Data Table
Here is a summary of Babe Ruth’s education and achievements:
| Name | College Attended | Degree(s) Earned | Field of Study/Major | Graduation Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Herman “Babe” Ruth Jr. | None | None | None | None |
Babe Ruth’s Early Life and Background
Babe Ruth was born on February 6, 1895, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was one of eight children born to George Herman Ruth Sr. and Katherine Schamberger Ruth. His family was poor and lived in a crowded apartment above his father’s saloon. His father was a German immigrant who worked as a bartender, a lightning rod salesman, and a streetcar conductor. His mother was an Irish-American who worked as a seamstress.
Babe Ruth had a difficult childhood. He rarely saw his parents who were busy working or fighting. He also lost six of his siblings who died from various diseases or accidents. He was often sick himself and suffered from pneumonia, measles, mumps, and smallpox. He also got into trouble with the law for stealing, fighting, vandalizing, and skipping school.
Babe Ruth’s Post-Education Journey
After leaving St. Mary’s in 1914, Babe Ruth signed his first professional baseball contract with the Baltimore Orioles, a minor league team that was affiliated with the Boston Red Sox. He received $600 for his first season. He played as a pitcher and an outfielder for the Orioles. He impressed everyone with his pitching skills, winning 18 games and striking out 163 batters. He also showed his hitting prowess, batting .326 with five home runs.
In July 1914, Babe Ruth was sold to the Boston Red Sox for $25,000. He joined the major league team as a pitcher. He won 89 games and had a 2.19 ERA for the Red Sox. He also helped them win three World Series championships in 1915, 1916, and 1918. However, he also wanted to play every day as a hitter. He started to play more as an outfielder than as a pitcher. He hit 29 home runs in 1919, breaking the single-season record.
In December 1919, Babe Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees for $125,000 and $300,000 in loans. This deal became known as “the curse of the Bambino”, as the Red Sox did not win another World Series until 2004. The Yankees, on the other hand, became one of the most successful teams in baseball history, thanks to Babe Ruth. He played as an outfielder for the Yankees. He hit 659 home runs and had a .349 batting average for the Yankees. He also helped them win four World Series championships in 1923, 1927, 1928, and 1932. He became one of the most popular and famous athletes in America.
In February 1935, Babe Ruth was traded to the Boston Braves for $35,000 and a share of the team’s profits. He hoped to play one more season and then become a manager. However, he was past his prime and could not perform well. He hit only six home runs and had a .181 batting average for the Braves. He retired from baseball on June 2, 1935.
After retiring from baseball, Babe Ruth devoted his time to charity work, golfing, hunting, fishing, and radio broadcasting. He also wrote his autobiography, The Babe Ruth Story, which was published in 1948. He also starred in several movies, such as The Pride of the Yankees, Headin’ Home, and The Babe Ruth Story.
Babe Ruth died on August 16, 1948, at age 53, from throat cancer. He was buried at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York. He was mourned by millions of fans who loved him and admired him.
Babe Ruth’s Impact and Significance
Babe Ruth is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. He changed the game of baseball with his power-hitting and charismatic personality. He set many records that still stand today, such as the most career home runs (714), the most career slugging percentage (.690), and the most career runs batted in (2,213). He was also one of the first five players to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.
Babe Ruth’s education influenced his baseball achievements in many ways. He learned from some of the best teachers and mentors in religion, discipline, and baseball at St. Mary’s. They taught him how to play baseball, how to behave, and how to pray. He also gained valuable experience and exposure from playing baseball almost every day at St. Mary’s. He made connections and friendships with teammates and coaches who supported him throughout his journey. He also developed skills and qualities that helped him succeed as a baseball player, such as athletic talent, power, speed, confidence, passion, and perseverance.
Interesting Anecdotes or Trivia
Here are some interesting anecdotes or trivia about Babe Ruth’s education years:
- He was baptized as a Catholic at St. Peter’s Church in Baltimore. His baptismal name was George Herman Ruth Jr.
- He was nicknamed “Babe” by his teammates at St. Mary’s because he was younger and smaller than most of them.
- He was also nicknamed “Jidge” by his family because he pronounced his middle name “Herman” as “Jidge”.
- He hit his first home run at St. Mary’s when he was 12 years old. It was a grand slam that broke a window of a nearby greenhouse.
- He once ran away from St. Mary’s with two friends to see his father’s saloon. They were caught by the police and returned to the school.
Relevance to Today’s Students
Babe Ruth’s education journey can inspire and motivate today’s students who are interested in pursuing a career in sports or any other field. His story shows that with talent, passion, and perseverance, anything is possible. He also demonstrates that education is not only about academics but also about personal growth, character development, and social responsibility. He also proves that success is not measured by fame or money but by happiness and fulfillment.
Conclusion
In this article, we have learned where Babe Ruth went to college and how his education helped him become a successful baseball player and celebrity. We have seen that he did not attend any college or university but he went to St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, where he learned how to play baseball, how to behave, and how to pray. He was a successful and respected baseball player who played for the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees, and the Boston Braves. He also became one of the most popular and famous athletes in America.
We have also learned some interesting facts about his life and achievements, such as his family background, his nicknames, his records, and his movies. We have also discussed how his education influenced his baseball achievements and how it can inspire today’s students.