American legend Babe Ruth (1895–1947) lived and played baseball with passionate gusto. Born George Herman Ruth Jr. in Baltimore, Maryland, he grew up in a tough neighborhood and was raised in an orphanage—where he first learned to play the game that would change his life.

"Never let the fear of striking out get in your way," he once said. "Watch my dust."

Signed at age 19 by the Baltimore Orioles, Ruth was traded to the Boston Red Sox where he excelled as a left-handed pitcher. In 1919, he joined the New York Yankees and immediately set a major league record with 29 home runs.

He hit 54 home runs the following year and an astounding 60 in 1927. Ruth became a beloved hero, giving fans hope during the 1919 Black Sox scandal and the Great Depression.

"I had only one superstition," he explained. "I made sure to touch all the bases when I hit a home run."

With 714 home runs, a .342 career batting average, and six RBI titles, Ruth was the highest-paid player of his time—and one of its most famous.

He credited his teammates, saying, "The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime."

He was more than a ballplayer. He was a cultural icon, a showman, and a force of nature who reminded America to think big, swing hard, and keep playing. He remains one of the most heroic figures in sports history.