HistoricSiteMarkers
Progressive & Modern Era

George Herman Ruth

New York, New York, New York

Marker Inscription

Babe Ruth (George Herman Ruth) 1895-1948 “The Sultan of Swat” led the New York Yankees to seven pennants between 1920 and 1934. Ruth hit 714 career home runs, a record until 1974. He lived here for several years, beginning in 1929, and then moved to 173 Riverside Drive.

Erected by Historic Landmarks Preservation Center

The Story

For several years beginning in 1929, this was home to Babe Ruth at the height of his fame. "The Sultan of Swat" powered the New York Yankees to seven pennants between 1920 and 1934 and hit 714 career home runs, a record that stood until 1974. Larger than life on and off the field, Ruth became the defining star of baseball's golden age before moving on to Riverside Drive.

Why it matters

Ruth transformed baseball into America's premier spectator sport in the boom years of the 1920s, becoming one of the nation's first modern celebrity athletes.

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