ell before Ruth was traded to
the Yankees, the Babe was heralded as the greatest home run hitter of all time. Even
though he had fewer lifetime home runs than numerous other ballplayers, Ruth's blasts were
hit longer, higher, and harder than anyone had ever seen. When he joined the Yankees in 1920, Ruth continued his barrage on the record books. By mid-July he had surpassed his previous season's record of 29 home runs. On September 29th, the Yankees were in Philadelphia for a season-ending double-header. Game one saw Ruth hit his 54th and final home run of the campaign: a ninth-inning two-run shot over the right field fence to help the Yankees to victory, 7-3. Ruth's total of 54 home runs not only led all other major league batters (the runner-up was George Sisler with 19), but also eclipsed the totals of every other major league team save one (the Phillies clouted 64). |
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