Babe Ruth's Unusual Pitching Career with the Yankees

One of the most enduring legacies of Babe Ruth is his long and storied career as a power-hitting outfielder. However, the story of Babe Ruth, the legendary slugger, often goes deeper. Little known to many fans, Ruth also had an unorthodox and interesting pitching career with the New York Yankees. Let's explore the few instances where this towering titan of baseball took the mound.

Early Career: 1920 and 1921

Babe Ruth's brief pitching stint began in 1920, when he was 25 years old. He made a few starts and relief appearances during his career. In 1920, Ruth pitched in one game, and in 1921, he made another start and also relieved in a game. His pitching was notable; he managed to pitch nine innings and allowed eight earned runs. This early foray into pitching was an intriguing departure from his usual role as a slugger, showcasing the versatility of this baseball icon.

Later Career: 1930 and 1933

Even in his later career, Ruth showed occasional but brief appearances as a pitcher. In 1930, at the age of 35, he made another start for the Yankees. In 1933, at the age of 38, he pitched another time, facing 147 batters in 31 innings. Although his ERA was 5.52, his record as a pitcher with the Yankees was an impressive 5-0. During his final start in 1933, Ruth received rubdowns on the bench between innings, indicating his fatigue. After the game, he declared himself done as a pitcher, a decision made at 38 years old. In this final start, Ruth hit a home run into the center field bleachers at the Polo Grounds, marking the first time such a feat had occurred during his career as a pitcher.

The Defense of Left Field

Interestingly, Lou Gehrig offered to replace Babe Ruth in left field during his 1930 start. Even briefly acting as a fielder, Gehrig was impressive, making two putouts and going 3-for-5 at the plate in the same game. Despite his strong batting performance, Gehrig couldn't catch Al Simmons to win the batting title, finishing at .379 just two points behind the leader.

Summary and Statistics

Throughout his entire career with the New York Yankees, Ruth made five appearances as a pitcher. All four of his starts were successful, and he faced 147 batters in 31 innings, finishing with a 5.52 ERA. His pitching record with the Yankees was an impressive 5-0, with two complete games to his credit. Although his record was good, his ERA was relatively high, which suggests that his time as a pitcher was limited. These appearances as a pitcher were indeed rare and brief, but they are a significant part of Babe Ruth's imposing legacy in baseball.

Legacy and Impact

While Babe Ruth is best remembered for his feats as a slugger, his brief forays into pitching showcase the remarkable range of abilities this legendary player possessed. His decision to retire from pitching after his 38th birthday, following a game where he hit a record home run, speaks to his wisdom and understanding of the game. Ruth's legacy as a pitcher, though brief, is a fascinating footnote in the rich history of the New York Yankees and baseball as a whole.