Babe Ruth, born George Herman Ruth Jr., was a transformative figure in baseball, known for his exceptional hitting and pitching during a 22-season career from 1914 to 1935. He began with the Boston Red Sox as a pitcher but became a legendary slugger after being sold to the New York Yankees, where he set numerous home run records and revitalized interest in the sport. Ruth's legacy includes a .342 batting average and 714 career home runs, making him one of the most celebrated athletes in American history.