Yankees Legend Babe Ruth Made MLB History 95 Years Ago Today
Babe Ruth accomplished something no MLB player had ever done before during a historic day with the Yankees 95 years ago.
Few names in American sports history carry the weight of Babe Ruth, and Friday marks the anniversary of one of the New York Yankees legend’s most remarkable accomplishments.
On Aug. 21, 1931, Ruth added another unprecedented achievement to his resume,e when he became the first player in Major League Baseball history to reach 600 career home runs. The milestone came during his legendary run with the Yankees and represented a number no other major league player had come close to reaching at the time.
Yahoo Sports highlighted the anniversary Friday, 95 years after Ruth made history. While baseball has changed dramatically in the decades since Ruth dominated the sport, his accomplishments remain an important part of MLB history. His 600th home run was particularly significant because it established a milestone that would take another player nearly four decades to reach.
95 years ago today, Babe Ruth recorded his 600th career home run ☄️
Only eight other players in MLB history have reached this milestone ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/1gMv0kmfQb
Babe Ruth Became First MLB Player To Reach 600 Home Runs
Ruth entered the Yankees’ Aug. 21, 1931, game against the St. Louis Browns with 599 career home runs.
He didn’t have to wait long for No. 600.
Ruth connected against Browns pitcher George Blaeholder at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis, becoming the first player in MLB history to reach the milestone. The Yankees went on to win the game 11-7.
The accomplishment came just one day after Ruth had hit career homer No. 599, a ninth-inning grand slam against the Browns.
At 36 years old, Ruth was still one of baseball’s premier power hitters. He finished the 1931 season with 46 home runs, leading the American League for the 12th and final time in his career.
And even after reaching 600, Ruth had plenty of home runs left.
Babe Ruth’s 600-Home Run Milestone Stood Alone For Decades
Ruth ultimately retired with 714 career home runs, a record that remained untouched until Hank Aaron surpassed him in 1974.
But another indication of just how extraordinary Ruth’s 600th homer was came from the amount of time it took anyone else to join him.
Willie Mays became only the second member of MLB’s 600-home run club when he reached the milestone in September 1969, nearly 38 years after Ruth.
Only a small collection of baseball’s greatest power hitters have subsequently reached 600, including Aaron, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Ken Griffey Jr., Jim Thome and Sammy Sosa.
Ruth was the player who established the club in the first place.
His career extended far beyond his ability to hit home runs. Ruth finished with 2,873 hits, 2,214 RBIs and a .342 batting average. Before becoming baseball’s most feared slugger, he was also an outstanding pitcher, posting a 94-46 career record with a 2.28 ERA.
He won seven World Series championships, including four with the Yankees, and became one of the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.
Babe Ruth Remains Synonymous With Yankees History
Ruth spent 15 seasons with the Yankees after beginning his career with the Boston Red Sox. His arrival in New York helped transform the Yankees into baseball’s most recognizable franchise.
He hit 659 of his 714 career home runs in a Yankees uniform and won the 1923 American League MVP Award. Ruth also helped New York capture its first World Series championship that season.
Nearly a century later, his name remains synonymous with the franchise.
That makes Aug. 21 another significant date in Yankees history.
On that day 95 years ago, Ruth stepped to the plate with 599 career home runs and entered territory no major league player had ever reached.
Baseball eventually produced other members of the 600-home run club.
Ruth, fittingly, was the first.
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