The Life and Career of Babe Ruth Babe Ruth, an American professional baseball player, is one of the most phenomenally gifted and popular players in the history of baseball. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland on February 6, 1895 with the name George Herman Ruth. He had many names. His names were Game's Greatest Hero, Babe, (his most common nickname), George Herman Ruth, and George Herman Shaw. Everybody calls him Babe Ruth. Babe had seven brothers and seven sisters. He stole from stores, he skipped school, and he chewed tobacco at age 7. His father often had beaten hi