NY sports history: Feb. 3, tktk

THIS DAY IN NY SPORTS HISTORY

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 1895

Baseball's first slugger, Ruth, born

George Herman "Babe" Ruth, one of the most prolific hitters and one of the more monikered athletes in baseball history was born in Baltimore. Ruth, known as the Sultan of Swat and the Bambino, among others, was the first great slugger in the game, leading the league in home runs 12 times, including a then-record 60 long balls in 1927. He hit at least 45 home runs in a season nine times.

Ruth established himself as a top pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, going 89-46 with a 2.19 ERA from 1914-19. He clubbed 29 home runs in 1919 before being traded to the Yankees, and his home run totals only climbed.

After playing 15 seasons in pinstripes, Ruth spent the last season of his career with the Boston Braves. He finished with a lifetime .342 batting average and 714 home runs.