RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Nicknamed "The Bambino" and "The Sultan of Swat", he began his MLB career as a star left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, but achieved his greatest fame as a slugging outfielder for the New York Yankees. Ruth is regarded as one of the greatest sports heroes in American culture and is considered by many to be the greatest baseball
Close
These percentile rankings are a score to indicate how Babe Ruth ranks among all historic players for several skill categories. For example, a percentile of "85% Power" would indicate a player among the top 15% of players in raw batting power, and a percentile of "Speed 3%" would indicate a player that is among the slowest players in the history of the game. These percentiles are entirely based on career statistical accomplishments for players with over 500 games played or 500 innings pitched, so may not accurately reflect an intangible ability.
On April 27, 1947, a significant event unfolded in the annals of baseball history, marking...
1947 Babe Ruth Day - Radio Broadcast / On April 27, 1947, a significant event unfolded in the annals of baseball history, marking "Babe Ruth Day" at Yankee Stadium. This day was singularly poignant as it featured one of the last public appearances of George Herman "Babe" Ruth, a figure synonymous with the sport itself. Ruth's career, a tapestry of home runs and unprecedented feats, had by then transitioned from the vibrancy of his playing days to the quieter, yet no less impactful, role of an ambassador of the sport. The year 1947 found Ruth far removed from his peak in the 1920s and early 1930s, yet his influence on the game and its fans remained undiminished. In this ceremony, Ruth addressed the crowd, his voice reverberating not just through Yankee Stadium but also across the countless radios tuned in to hear the legend. This speech resonated as a poignant capstone to a career that had, in many ways, shaped the very fabric of America's pastime.
The day was not merely a farewell but a celebration of Ruth's indelible impact on baseball, with the echoes of his achievements and the sheer force of his personality still palpable in the stadium. As fans listened to his words, they were reminded of the numerous records and moments of awe that Ruth had provided throughout his illustrious career. The juxtaposition of the year 1947 against the backdrop of Ruth's career highlights served as a stark reminder of the relentless march of time and the lasting legacy of one of the sport's most iconic figures.
In this 1942 clip from the Bob Hope Radio Show, Bob Hope, a renowned comedian...
Bob Hope with Babe Ruth - Classic Baseball Radio Comedy Show / In this 1942 clip from the Bob Hope Radio Show, Bob Hope, a renowned comedian and entertainer, engages with Babe Ruth, one of the most iconic figures in baseball history. Given the era, this interaction likely provides insights into Ruth's illustrious career, personal anecdotes, and perhaps Hope's characteristic humor woven into their conversation. This period in history was marked by World War II; thus, their dialogue might also reflect the national mood and the impact of the war on American sports and entertainment.
The 1934 Baseball All-Star Game was the second year that the game was played, but...
1934 MLB All-Star Game - Radio Broadcast / The 1934 Baseball All-Star Game was the second year that the game was played, but it's the first baseball game in which an audio recording still exists. The game featured an unbelievable 28 future hall of famers and is well known among baseball historians for the performance of starting pitcher Carl Hubbell. Be sure to listen closely to the first inning when, Hubbell strikes out five of the game's best hitters in succession: โ Hall of famers Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin
The 1928 Major League Baseball season was a banner year for hitting, with several sluggers...
MLB 1928 Home Run Derby Simulation / The 1928 Major League Baseball season was a banner year for hitting, with several sluggers making their mark. The New York Yankees' Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig dominated the American League, with Ruth hitting .323 with 54 home runs and 142 RBIs, and Gehrig batting .374 with 27 home runs and a league-leading 142 RBIs. In the National League, the Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Waner led with a .370 average, while the Philadelphia Phillies' Cy Williams topped the league with 31 home runs. The Yankees swept the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series, with Ruth and Gehrig combining for seven home runs in four games.
In this simulated 1927 MLB Home Run Derby, we're seeing a clash of titans with...
MLB 1927 Home Run Derby Simulation / In this simulated 1927 MLB Home Run Derby, we're seeing a clash of titans with Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Rogers Hornsby, and Hack Wilson, all at their prime. Ruth and Gehrig, famously part of the '27 Yankees' "Murderers' Row", are up against Hornsby, who had just moved to the Giants, and Wilson, who was leading the Cubs' offensive, setting the stage for a contest of power hitters from a golden era of baseball.
In this engaging audio clip from August 16, 1955, Mel Allen, a renowned American sportscaster,...
The Legend of Babe Ruth Biography / In this engaging audio clip from August 16, 1955, Mel Allen, a renowned American sportscaster, famously known for his work with the New York Yankees, conducts a captivating radio interview focused on the enduring legacy of Babe Ruth, one of baseball's most legendary figures. At this point in history, Allen's career as the "Voice of the Yankees" was in full swing, making him a household name among baseball fans, while Babe Ruth, who had passed away in 1948, remained an iconic symbol of the sport's rich history. This interview offers a unique glimpse into Ruth's monumental impact on baseball, through the lens of one of the most influential sportscasters of the time, providing listeners with not only a reflection on Ruth's achievements but also on how his legend continued to inspire and shape the narrative of baseball.
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, it replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, it replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940.
Lane authored several books in his day but Batting was the only one on baseball. First published in...
/ Lane authored several books in his day but Batting was the only one on baseball. First published in 1925, Batting collects the wisdom and insights of over 250 hitters and baseball figures. Lane interviewed extensively and compiled tips and advice on everything from batting stances to beanballs. Legendary baseball figures such as Ty Cobb, Casey Stengel, Cy Young, Walter Johnson, Rogers Hornsby, and Babe Ruth reveal the secrets of such integral and interesting parts of the game as how to choose a bat, the ways to beat a slump, common baseball player superstitions, how to outguess the pitcher, even the best way to deal with unhappy fans and the press.
By the first quarter of the twentieth century, the Draper-Maynard Company of Plymouth, New Hampshire had become the preeminent manufacturer...
/ By the first quarter of the twentieth century, the Draper-Maynard Company of Plymouth, New Hampshire had become the preeminent manufacturer of professional model baseball gloves and one of the largest sporting goods suppliers in the United States. In fact, throughout the 1920's, the company claimed that between 80 and 90 percent of professional baseball players used their gloves. The metamorphosis of Jason & Nathaniel Draper's one-room glove factory in Glove Hollow into an iconic international brand is a remarkable American success story made possible by hard work and a little good fortune.
Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more...
/ Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more comprehensive than the Spalding Guide in its coverage.
It was the official publication of the American Association from 1883 until 1892, and was the American League's official publication beginning in 1902. In 1940, Spalding aquired A.J. Reach & Co. and consequently merged the two guide.
Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more...
/ Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more comprehensive than the Spalding Guide in its coverage.
It was the official publication of the American Association from 1883 until 1892, and was the American League's official publication beginning in 1902. In 1940, Spalding aquired A.J. Reach & Co. and consequently merged the two guide.
Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more...
/ Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more comprehensive than the Spalding Guide in its coverage.
It was the official publication of the American Association from 1883 until 1892, and was the American League's official publication beginning in 1902. In 1940, Spalding aquired A.J. Reach & Co. and consequently merged the two guide.
Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more...
/ Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more comprehensive than the Spalding Guide in its coverage.
It was the official publication of the American Association from 1883 until 1892, and was the American League's official publication beginning in 1902. In 1940, Spalding aquired A.J. Reach & Co. and consequently merged the two guide.
Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more...
/ Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more comprehensive than the Spalding Guide in its coverage.
It was the official publication of the American Association from 1883 until 1892, and was the American League's official publication beginning in 1902. In 1940, Spalding aquired A.J. Reach & Co. and consequently merged the two guide.
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.
Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more...
/ Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more comprehensive than the Spalding Guide in its coverage.
It was the official publication of the American Association from 1883 until 1892, and was the American League's official publication beginning in 1902. In 1940, Spalding aquired A.J. Reach & Co. and consequently merged the two guide.
The 1942 edition was devoted entirely to major league playing records as compiled by Leonard Gettelson. ONE FOR THE BOOK,...
/ The 1942 edition was devoted entirely to major league playing records as compiled by Leonard Gettelson. ONE FOR THE BOOK, which was first published in 1949, was a continuation of the 1942 Dope Book.
There was at least one "Al Schracht Dope Book" Published by Sporting News in 1944. This edition consisted of dozens of colorful short news snippets with cartoon illustrations, followed by statistics and writeups of current Hall of Famers and past World Series'.
The Dope Book from 1948 thru 1985 was of an entirely different format. It featured a wide spectrum of articles and statistics. Several features, such as Club Rosters and All Star Game Records, were carried yearly for many years.
Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of...
/ Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of the major league players for that particular year.
This annual publication was available through the mail and at most major league stadiums. Its decline in popularity is said to be a result of the competition from team yearbooks.
Who's Who covers generally contain photos of the top four stars of the previous year. Each edition featured photos and sketches of sports team top twenty players. A world champion photo usually appeared on the back cover of Who's Who in Major League Baseball while the other league champions appeared on the front cover.
Billed as "The illustrated digest of all sports". Monthly digest magazine that competed with Sports...
/ Billed as "The illustrated digest of all sports". Monthly digest magazine that competed with Sports Digest in covering stories in sports such as baseball, football, basketball, swimming, horse racing, boxing, tennis, and golf.
Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of...
/ Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of the major league players for that particular year.
This annual publication was available through the mail and at most major league stadiums. Its decline in popularity is said to be a result of the competition from team yearbooks.
Who's Who covers generally contain photos of the top four stars of the previous year. Each edition featured photos and sketches of sports team top twenty players. A world champion photo usually appeared on the back cover of Who's Who in Major League Baseball while the other league champions appeared on the front cover.
Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of...
/ Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of the major league players for that particular year.
This annual publication was available through the mail and at most major league stadiums. Its decline in popularity is said to be a result of the competition from team yearbooks.
Who's Who covers generally contain photos of the top four stars of the previous year. Each edition featured photos and sketches of sports team top twenty players. A world champion photo usually appeared on the back cover of Who's Who in Major League Baseball while the other league champions appeared on the front cover.
Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of...
/ Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of the major league players for that particular year.
This annual publication was available through the mail and at most major league stadiums. Its decline in popularity is said to be a result of the competition from team yearbooks.
Who's Who covers generally contain photos of the top four stars of the previous year. Each edition featured photos and sketches of sports team top twenty players. A world champion photo usually appeared on the back cover of Who's Who in Major League Baseball while the other league champions appeared on the front cover.
The magazine was founded by Boston sportswriter Jake Morse prior to the 1908 season. It continued publishing until September...
/ The magazine was founded by Boston sportswriter Jake Morse prior to the 1908 season. It continued publishing until September 1957. The magazine was resurrected for a short reprieve from November 1964 through April 1965, before folding again.
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, it replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, it replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940.
Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in...
/ Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in this collection depict Major League ball parks and famous players of the era. Accompanying each full page cartoon is a page of text featuring a little history and a description of the field pictured.
Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in...
/ Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in this collection depict Major League ball parks and famous players of the era. Accompanying each full page cartoon is a page of text featuring a little history and a description of the field pictured.
Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in...
/ Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in this collection depict Major League ball parks and famous players of the era. Accompanying each full page cartoon is a page of text featuring a little history and a description of the field pictured.
Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in...
/ Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in this collection depict Major League ball parks and famous players of the era. Accompanying each full page cartoon is a page of text featuring a little history and a description of the field pictured.
Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in...
/ Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in this collection depict Major League ball parks and famous players of the era. Accompanying each full page cartoon is a page of text featuring a little history and a description of the field pictured.
Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in...
/ Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in this collection depict Major League ball parks and famous players of the era. Accompanying each full page cartoon is a page of text featuring a little history and a description of the field pictured.
Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in...
/ Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in this collection depict Major League ball parks and famous players of the era. Accompanying each full page cartoon is a page of text featuring a little history and a description of the field pictured.
Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in...
/ Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in this collection depict Major League ball parks and famous players of the era. Accompanying each full page cartoon is a page of text featuring a little history and a description of the field pictured.
Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in...
/ Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in this collection depict Major League ball parks and famous players of the era. Accompanying each full page cartoon is a page of text featuring a little history and a description of the field pictured.
Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in...
/ Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in this collection depict Major League ball parks and famous players of the era. Accompanying each full page cartoon is a page of text featuring a little history and a description of the field pictured.
Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in...
/ Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in this collection depict Major League ball parks and famous players of the era. Accompanying each full page cartoon is a page of text featuring a little history and a description of the field pictured.
The booklets were published and distributed by various companies through local retailers, who would often rebrand them. While many of...
/ The booklets were published and distributed by various companies through local retailers, who would often rebrand them. While many of the booklets have slight variations in content, they orginate from Pearson Corporation. There was a alternate version of the fact book that is most often seen with "Kessler Whiskey" branding. The Kessler books tended to be a little larger format with a higher quality paper. Publication features team rosters, previews, major & minor league schedules, stadium diagrams, team logos, MLB records, Hall of Fame, World Series results, etc.