The Babe Ruth Story

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“The Babe Ruth Story”

On February 6, 1895, Kate Schamberger Ruth gave birth to her first child. George Herman Ruth, Jr. was born in the house of his grandparents in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the first of eight children born to Kate and George Herman Ruth. Unfortunately, most of the children died in infancy, and only George, Jr. and his sister Mamie survived to lead a full life.


George experienced little, if any, real love from his parents who made no time for their son. Ultimately, they felt that they could no longer care for their son. On June 13, 1902, George Herman Ruth took his seven year-old to St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys. Not only did he place George in the school, but he also signed over custody of the boy to the Xaverian Brothers, a Catholic Order of Jesuit Missionaries who ran St. Mary's.


St. Mary's was both a reformatory and orphanage that was surrounded by a wall similar to a prison with guards on duty. There were approximately 803 children at St. Mary's. The reformatory had four dormitories that housed about 200 kids each. George, Jr., who by the age of seven had already been involved with mischievous altercations, was classified as "incorrigible" upon his admission. For a few brief periods he was returned to live with his family, but he was always sent back to St. Mary's, and no one ever came to visit him while he was there.

In 1902 Baseball was a popular and primary form of recreation for the boys at St. Mary's. Young George Ruth, Jr., displayed his potential at a very young age. He



In 1902 Baseball was a popular and primary form of recreation for the boys at St. Mary's. Young George Ruth, Jr., displayed his potential at a very young age. He played all positions on the field, and was an excellent pitcher. He also possessed a superb ability to hit the ball. By his late teens Ruth had developed into a major league baseball prospect. On February 27, 1914, at the age of nineteen, Ruth ...