Record-breaking athlete honored

In 1946, after experiencing severe eye pain and difficulty in swallowing, baseball legend George Herman “Babe” Ruth, Jr. was diagnosed with cancer. On April 27, 1947, he was able to attend the first National Babe Ruth Day and spoke briefly to a crowd of almost 58,339 people at Yankee Stadium.  At the age of 53, on August 16, 1948, Babe Ruth died in his sleep. (National Babe Ruth Day).

The day was celebrated for the legend who broke baseball’s most important slugging records, including most years leading a league in home runs, most total bases in a season, and highest slugging percentage for a season. Ruth had a lasting impact on major league baseball, ending his career with 714 home runs.

“Babe” Ruth was nicknamed “the Bambino” and “the Sultan of Swat.” Spending 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), he played for three teams from 1914 to 1935. Ruth retired in 1935, shortly before becoming one of the first five players to be elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. (History.com)

Ruth, who made the game livelier, improved not only the sports community, but the radio fan’s listening experience (askinglot.com).

To observe National Babe Ruth Day, you can play a game of catch or baseball with close ones, snack on some Cracker Jacks as they were baseball’s classic treat, or watch a Babe Ruth documentary or even his movie. You might even choose to watch one of the six games playing in the MLB that day. Check out games on April 27 for schedules.