baseball
2006-09-25 06:58:33 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
His play was above being great - his propensity for hitting home runs completely changed the strategy of the game. Prior to him, home runs were relatively uncommon and baseball was focused primarily on small ball - i.e., small hits and moving the runner forward. In 1914, Ruth's first year in the majors (he pitched a couple games for the Red Sox), the entire American League hit 148 home runs, or an average of just over 18 per team, and the league leader was Frank "Home Run" Baker, who hit 9. Ten years later, in 1924, that number had increased to 397, or just under 50 HR per team. Ruth had, in the previous decade, set new single-season HR records 3 times (and would do so once more). Essentially, Ruth single-handedly changed the sport into the power game we see today.
Beyond the statistics, his career is significant because his exploits brought people back to the game after the 1919 Black Sox scandal (and other, less well-known gambling scandals), which had tainted the game.
2006-09-25 07:28:14 · answer #1 · answered by JerH1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
His statistics alone were great (like his 714 homers and career batting average of .342), but the main reason he was the "king" was his ability to hit home runs frequently. Before Babe Ruth, people were getting the home run crown for hitting 10 or 12 home runs per season. When he hit 29 in 1919, the next highest total was 10. He led the majors in homers between 1918 and 1931, except for two seasons. He was the king because he made the game more exciting for all fans by hitting the ball out of the park more than anyone previously imagined possible.
2006-09-25 14:13:14 · answer #2 · answered by Stuck in the Middle Ages 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because he basically brought baseball back from a dark time period. The Blacksox scandle was hovering over baseball for years until Ruth came along.
He brought excitment back to the game. He gave fans a reason to watch baseball again.
The fact he was arguably the greatest baseball player to ever live (remember, he was a tremendous pitcher, as well as one of the greatest...if not the greatest, hitter to ever play the game), added to what he did for the game, is the reason he is considered the king.
2006-09-25 16:15:38 · answer #3 · answered by brianwerner1313 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If The Babe is the King, well then, who is the Queen of Baseball?
2006-09-25 14:54:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
just know he’s been retired since May 1935 that is over 71 years ago. he is in the top 10 in batting average, home runs, on base %, slugging %, total bases, runs, RBI, plus others. He is probably the best all-around player ever, cause he was also a dominating pitcher when he pitched. Unlike Aaron or Bonds who can’t pitch or hit for the average Ruth ha
2006-09-25 14:31:37 · answer #5 · answered by hair_of_a_dog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because he was the reason baseball bloomed in the 20s-30s
2006-09-25 14:03:29 · answer #6 · answered by cfl 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He saved the game after the black sox scandal.
2006-09-25 14:45:36 · answer #7 · answered by Lefty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's not, he was a fat piece of crap Yankee. Remember, back then there was only fastball and slowball. No slider, curveball, singer, cutter, etc....if he played today he would suck.
2006-09-25 15:44:08 · answer #8 · answered by J-Far 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because to this day we are still talking about him
2006-09-25 14:24:58 · answer #9 · answered by smitty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
B/C He so Big, and spoke softly but carried a big stick....
2006-09-25 15:13:43 · answer #10 · answered by modeledge 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋