Red Sox: 12 questions that may surprise you about Babe Ruth

Red Sox star pitcher, Babe Ruth, is the best-known player in the history of baseball, but there may be some things you don’t know about this famous player.

Just about every member of Red Sox Nation knows that the worst trade in the history of the franchise sent Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees, when the Boston owner needed the money to finance a Broadway show.

Just about everybody, inside and outside the game of baseball, has heard of Babe Ruth.

But, there may be a few surprises about George Herman Ruth yet to be realized.

Try these 12 questions about The Babe and see how much you know about him.

1. Before he became a great home run hitter, he had a successful career as a:
   1. Pitcher.
   2. First baseman.
   3. Catcher.
   4. Coach.
   5. None of the above.

1. He had a large frame that perched on ankles that were like:
   1. An elephant.
   2. A weight-lifter.
   3. A ballet dancer.
   4. A wrestler.
   5. None of the above.

1. When he was born, he was:
   1. An orphan.
   2. A Ward of the Court.
   3. A son of average parents.
   4. A premature baby.
   5. None of the above.

1. As a pitcher for the Red Sox, he had a record of:
   1. 89 – 46
   2. 46 – 89
   3. 12 – 26
   4. 26 -12
   5. None of the above.

1. He got the nickname “Babe”:
   1. From his childhood friends, due to his baby face.
   2. From the candy bar Baby Ruth.
   3. From Boston scout, who said; “He’s one of Jack Dunn’s babes.”
   4. From his beloved sister Maye.
   5. None of the above.

1. His pigeon-toed walk was due to:
   1. A birth defect.
   2. A lack of shoes, so he walked barefoot.
   3. Imitating his favorite coach, Brother Matthias.
   4. Foot binding by his Asian nanny.
   5. None of the above.

1. When Babe was called up to the Majors, he started as a:
   1. First baseman.
   2. Right fielder.
   3. Third baseman
   4. Catcher
   5. None of the above.

1. The first Major league team that Babe signed with was:
   1. The Red Sox.
   2. The Orioles
   3. The Yankees
   4. The Dodgers
   5. None of the above.

1. When he was sold to the Red Sox for $2,900 by Baltimore, he went:
   1. Right to Fenway to join the Red Sox.
   2. To instructional league in Florida.
   3. To the Providence farm team.
   4. To the Dominican Republic.
   5. None of the above.

1. In his first game on July 11, 1914, Ruth:
   1. Crushed a HR out of the park.
   2. Was walked intentionally all four times.
   3. Was hit on the head with a wild pitch.
   4. Was replaced by a pinch hitter.
   5. None of the above.

1. In 1916 The Babe:
   1. Led the American league in HRs [47].
   2. Led the American league in ERA [1.75].
   3. Led the American league in Wins.
   4. Led the American league in Slg%.
   5. None of the above.

1. In January 1929, the Red Sox owner, Harry Frazee, sold Ruth the Yankees for:
   1. $100,000 and a loan for $350,000.
   2. $50,000 and three pitchers.
   3. $25,000 and four infielders.
   4. $75,000 and a minor league franchise.
   5. None of the above.

Next: Jay Bruce a viable free alternative

Answers:

1.  1
2.  3
3.  3
4.  1
5.  3
6.  3
7. 5  [pitcher]
8. 2
9. 3
10. 4
11.  2
12. 1

*Source:  The American League Story, Lee Allen.