More than 100 years after Babe Ruth first wore a Yankees uniform, his impact on the team and baseball remains significant. As the New York Yankees prepare for Old-Timers’ Day at Yankee Stadium, Ruth’s legacy is being highlighted through memories, family reflections, and new works dedicated to his life.
Tom Stevens, Ruth’s grandson, reflected on the ongoing influence of his grandfather: “There’s never been anyone like him,” said Stevens. “And I don’t think there ever will be.”
A recent book titled “Out of the Mouth of Babe,” compiled by Kelly Bennett with a foreword by Stevens, aims to provide fans insight into Ruth’s character beyond his achievements on the field. The collection presents quotes and anecdotes that show different sides of Ruth.
“If ever there was a period in time made for the Babe, it was certainly the ’20s,” Stevens said.
Stevens described how sharing stories about Ruth helps keep his memory alive among new generations: “We just get the word out about Babe,” he said. “Babe makes his own fans – we’ve just got to get them there. He’s as relevant to the game as he ever was, in part because he was just the best.”
He also noted how modern baseball analytics continue to support Ruth’s reputation: “Computers permit us to do all sorts of things with number-crunching – WAR, wins above replacement, OPS+. And with every new parameter they develop, guess who’s out there in first place?”
Ruth joined the Yankees in 1920 and played a central role in shaping both their history and that of Major League Baseball as a whole. His arrival helped lead to increased fan interest and contributed to building what would become one of sports’ most successful franchises.
“Scott Boras has said that, if he were as dominant today as he was in his own time, he easily would have garnered a billion dollars over the course of his career,” Stevens said.
“He did well against Walter Johnson. He faced Satchel Paige in barnstorming games. He did fine against all the pitching he faced. Ted Williams told me Babe was the greatest hitter there ever was. He didn’t think there would ever be anybody to compare to him.”
Ruth’s style—both on and off the field—continues to influence how players are viewed today.
“There are certainly aspects of the game that he would embrace,” Stevens said regarding what Ruth might think about modern baseball. “He would have benefited from all of the inroads and innovations in nutrition and training, which is a tremendous advantage that ballplayers have today. And I think he would have loved a nice white ball every two minutes, given some of the black little pills he was pounding.”
If present at Old-Timers’ Day now, Stevens believes Ruth would still draw attention: holding court with stories from his playing days.
“The Yankees are the most storied franchise in baseball, and really all of sports,” Stevens said. “It’s terrific that he is remembered in this way.”
Stevens suggested while Ruth may have opinions about changes such as pitch clocks or bullpen strategies, at its core baseball remains familiar—a contest decided by skill and timing between pitcher and batter.
