A national day where baseball fans can unite, we’re all for National Babe Ruth Day. On April 27th, it’s time to head to the batting cages with the kids and hit some for hours. The day honors one of baseball’s greatest, so it is only fitting that it is celebrated the right way. We’re going to take a closer look into the day, what it means, and why.

History of National Babe Ruth Day

Born in Baltimore on February 6th, 1895, George Herman “Babe” Ruth Jr. had a lengthy career that spanned 22 seasons in Major League Baseball. This longevity saw him play for three teams and become one of the greatest hitters after starting his career as a pitcher. His teams included the Boston Red Sox, where he started out and played between 1914 – 1919, then the New York Yankees between 1920 – 1934, and the Boston Braves in 1935.

He earned the nickname as he was part of the Boston Red Sox owner Jack Dunn’s team, being his newest “babe” to come through the ranks. With 10 World Series to his name and 714 home runs, his stats make him one of the most successful MLB players of all time, even to this day.

He was also one of the first five players ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. After he left the Red Sox, the team didn’t win another World Series until 2004. This became known as the curse of the Bambino. He was a hero in New York and led to them having to build a new stadium to accommodate the numerous fans who were turning up to watch the superstar.

He ended his career at the Boston Braves, which was a disappointing finale, amid his reputation for being a heavy drinker, womanizer, and having a gambling problem. Babe boasted many records that spanned decades until they were broken, including the most home runs until 1974. He died on August 16th, 1948, in New York City.

The first National Babe Ruth Day was hosted by New York City on April 27th, 1947, not long after Babe’s diagnosis of throat cancer. He attended the ceremony in front of a packed crowd.

How To Observe National Babe Ruth Day

The best way to observe the day is to get out and hit some balls. Even throwing between gloves in the park is a good way of honoring the day. April 27th is the time to organize a get-together in the park with friends, maybe even see if you can get a game going.

The batting cages are one way to celebrate, but throwing a ball in the backyard is a great way to pass the time. Otherwise, use the hashtag #NationalBabeRuthDay to find out what others are doing to celebrate. You can share some of what you are doing as well.

It’s not difficult to find out more about the man, and there is an abundance of documentaries to choose from. The fascinating life of one of baseball’s greatest will never be forgotten, especially on April 27th.