George Herman “Babe” Ruth Jr. is one of the most iconic figures in baseball history, but his journey from a troubled childhood in Baltimore to becoming a legend was anything but ordinary.
Born on February 6, 1895, in the rough Pigtown section of Baltimore, Ruth was the son of German-American parents, George Sr. and Kate Ruth. His father ran a saloon in a tough neighborhood, and the family lived above the business. Of the eight Ruth children, only George and his sister Mamie survived into adulthood. Ruth’s parents worked long hours, leaving him largely unsupervised. As a young boy, he roamed the streets, frequently got into trouble, skipped school, and even had run-ins with the law. He chewed tobacco, drank beer, and was known for his unruly behavior—traits some accounts attribute in part to ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
At age seven, overwhelmed by Ruth’s behavior, his parents sent him to St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, a reformatory and orphanage run by the Xaverian Brothers. This institution became Ruth’s home for much of the next twelve years. St. Mary’s was strict and regimented, with boys learning trades like carpentry and shirt-making, and discipline enforced through corporal punishment. Ruth rarely saw his family again, especially after his mother died when he was twelve.
Despite the harsh environment, St. Mary’s was pivotal in Ruth’s development. It was here that he met Brother Matthias Boutlier, a large, strong, and fair-minded monk who became Ruth’s mentor and father figure. Brother Matthias introduced Ruth to baseball, encouraging him to play and teaching him the fundamentals of the game. Ruth later credited Matthias with inspiring his hitting style, famously saying, “I think I was born as a hitter the first day I ever saw him hit a baseball.”
Ruth quickly excelled at baseball, playing various positions including pitcher, catcher, and infielder—unusual for a left-hander. He used right-handed gloves and mittens, adapting to whatever was available. Ruth’s natural athleticism and powerful swing set him apart from his peers. By his mid-teens, he was already known for his prowess on the field, drawing attention from local teams.
Babe Ruth began his Major League Baseball career as a dominant left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.
He compiled a pitching record of 94 wins and 46 losses. In 1916, he led the American League with nine shutouts. He also set a record by pitching 29.2 consecutive scoreless innings in World Series play. But it was his extraordinary hitting that would ultimately cement his legendary status.
St. Mary’s allowed Ruth to play for local amateur and semi-pro teams on weekends, further honing his skills. In one memorable game at age 18, he pitched, caught, played third base, and hit a double, triple, and home run. His versatility and talent were undeniable.
In 1914, Jack Dunn, owner of the minor-league Baltimore Orioles, signed Ruth to his first professional contract. Because Ruth was only 19 and not yet of legal age, Dunn became his legal guardian. A sportswriter referred to Ruth as one of “Dunn’s babes,” and the nickname “Babe” stuck. Ruth’s pitching was so impressive that, before the end of the season, he was sold to the Boston Red Sox, beginning his ascent to baseball stardom.
Babe Ruth’s journey from a neglected, mischievous boy in Baltimore to a baseball legend is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of mentorship. The discipline and opportunity he found at St. Mary’s, under the guidance of Brother Matthias, not only kept him off the streets but also nurtured his extraordinary talent. Ruth’s early struggles and triumphs shaped the larger-than-life figure who would go on to change the game of baseball forever.
