By all account Ruth was throwing in the 80s without the movement we see in modern baseball. He was hitting against guys, with very few exceptions who were throwing 70s to 80s. To add it was in a segregated league without international talent. That said he was the greatest in his era, but likely wouldn't make a modern roster; at least not without some minor league time to allow him to adapt to modern game.
Conversely send current version back to Ruth's era and he's likely hitting 80 HR a season (or getting walked or HPB a ton), have a sub 1.0 ERA with 13-15 K per game. Don't forget he has a 101-102 mph fastball along with 4 to 6 other pitches in his repetoire, many of which they would have never seen.
There was also no NBA or NFL to filter domestic talent away and there was no hyper-specialized training. The league was also smaller and thus more concentrated top athletic talent. Ruth probably faced close to the same competition in relative terms. Ruth could have played in John Kruk's place, at the very least.
Ruth was literally a century ago, his training diet was hot dogs, beer, cigarettes and cigars. What is amazing about Ruth was his power. His ability to hit moonshots that rival today’s power hitters while hitting the balls used in that era is still amazing. He was also swinging a 44 oz bat lol. When I worked in TV we gave Juan Gonzalez (TX Rangers) the Ruth replica bat to swing and he laughed and said it was way too heavy. He was actually shocked at the weight.
There was also no NBA or NFL to filter domestic talent away and there was no hyper-specialized training. The league was also smaller and thus more concentrated top athletic talent. Ruth probably faced close to the same competition in relative terms. Ruth could have played in John Kruk's place, at the very least.
Ruth was literally a century ago, his training diet was hot dogs, beer, cigarettes and cigars. What is amazing about Ruth was his power. His ability to hit moonshots that rival today’s power hitters while hitting the balls used in that era is still amazing. He was also swinging a 44 oz bat lol. When I worked in TV we gave Juan Gonzalez (TX Rangers) the Ruth replica bat to swing and he laughed and said it was way too heavy. He was actually shocked at the weight.
Baseball is the only sport where people even try to compare modern athletes to athletes from before World War 2. No one seriously tries to compare Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Paavo Nurmi.
Ultimately, these comparisons are pointless. But just consider the fact that even though Ruth looks like he would fare poorly against modern baseball players, he was head and shoulders above all his peers at the time. So I think it's reasonable to assume that, were he playing today, with all the advantages of modern training, diet, etc., he would still be genetically gifted and probably among the top tier athletes playing today.
There was also no NBA or NFL to filter domestic talent away and there was no hyper-specialized training. The league was also smaller and thus more concentrated top athletic talent. Ruth probably faced close to the same competition in relative terms. Ruth could have played in John Kruk's place, at the very least.
Ruth was literally a century ago, his training diet was hot dogs, beer, cigarettes and cigars. What is amazing about Ruth was his power. His ability to hit moonshots that rival today’s power hitters while hitting the balls used in that era is still amazing. He was also swinging a 44 oz bat lol. When I worked in TV we gave Juan Gonzalez (TX Rangers) the Ruth replica bat to swing and he laughed and said it was way too heavy. He was actually shocked at the weight.
There were some crazy, massive stadium outfields in Ruth's era, too.
Ultimately, these comparisons are pointless. But just consider the fact that even though Ruth looks like he would fare poorly against modern baseball players, he was head and shoulders above all his peers at the time. So I think it's reasonable to assume that, were he playing today, with all the advantages of modern training, diet, etc., he would still be genetically gifted and probably among the top tier athletes playing today.
One thing that’s also true though, is Ruth didn’t really keep up with the training and diet of his time. “Don’t get fat and avoid alcohol” was something Cy Young was saying a decade plus before Ruth played. Despite not following that advice, he was still better than everyone else.
Ruth was literally a century ago, his training diet was hot dogs, beer, cigarettes and cigars. What is amazing about Ruth was his power. His ability to hit moonshots that rival today’s power hitters while hitting the balls used in that era is still amazing. He was also swinging a 44 oz bat lol. When I worked in TV we gave Juan Gonzalez (TX Rangers) the Ruth replica bat to swing and he laughed and said it was way too heavy. He was actually shocked at the weight.
There were some crazy, massive stadium outfields in Ruth's era, too.
From google AI: Yes, the dimensions of baseball parks have generally gotten smaller since Babe Ruth's era, with center field fences being much shorter on average today than they were then. The average distance to the center field fence was around 450 feet in Ruth's time, compared to about 405 feet today. This is partly due to the decline in the number of "quirky" old parks and the shift towards more modern stadiums that often have smaller capacities and outfield dimensions. Center Field: The average center field fence distance has decreased from around 450 feet in Ruth's era to 405 feet today. Alleys: The alleys in the outfield have also shrunk, from an average of 400-415 feet to a range of 368-385 feet.
This was probably the greatest single game performance by one player in baseball history. 3 homers and 6 shutout on the mound is just otherworldly stuff.
It was a long time, some time in the 70s, but Rick Wise pitched a no-hitter and had two home runs in the same game.
This was probably the greatest single game performance by one player in baseball history. 3 homers and 6 shutout on the mound is just otherworldly stuff.
It was a long time, some time in the 70s, but Rick Wise pitched a no-hitter and had two home runs in the same game.
Yeah, in ‘71. Wise (Phillies) belted two homers and no-hit the Reds — Pete Rose was the final out.
This was probably the greatest single game performance by one player in baseball history. 3 homers and 6 shutout on the mound is just otherworldly stuff.
It was a long time, some time in the 70s, but Rick Wise pitched a no-hitter and had two home runs in the same game.
You’re comparing one game to a career. For his career, Wise hit 15 homes, and allowed 9 hits per nine innings. Ohtani is on his way to 500+ homers and allows 6.6 hits. What Wise did was the same level of luck as needed for a hole in one from 300 yards out.
There were some crazy, massive stadium outfields in Ruth's era, too.
From google AI: Yes, the dimensions of baseball parks have generally gotten smaller since Babe Ruth's era, with center field fences being much shorter on average today than they were then. The average distance to the center field fence was around 450 feet in Ruth's time, compared to about 405 feet today. This is partly due to the decline in the number of "quirky" old parks and the shift towards more modern stadiums that often have smaller capacities and outfield dimensions. Center Field: The average center field fence distance has decreased from around 450 feet in Ruth's era to 405 feet today. Alleys: The alleys in the outfield have also shrunk, from an average of 400-415 feet to a range of 368-385 feet.
Ruth was a dead pull hitter and even though Yankee stadium had the short porch, he hit more homers for his career in away games.
As for the 44 ounce bat, he could never use it in today’s game. It would be impossible to catch up to 100 mph fastballs or to check his swing. There are very strong batters in MLB and they top out at 36 ounces. That includes Judge and I seriously doubt Ruth was strong as he is.
Besides the Ruth-era players having to play in bigger dimension ballparks, they also never benefited with today's much livelier baseballs. So today's players play in smaller ballparks, hit livelier baseballs and are facing pitchers on a lower pitching mound.
Babe Ruth is still the best player of all time. All you can really do is compare numbers, and Shohei won’t come close to Babe’s. Also, one of the very early replies to this thread already mentioned it: Ruth revolutionized power-hitting. The single-season HR record went from like 11 or 13 to 60 in a few years because of the Babe. Throw in the pitching — I think Ruth either still has or recently held the longest World Series scoreless innings streak. Best there ever was, and because he did it all first, the best there ever will be.
Ohtani is playing against much better athletes. About 50% of the players Ruth played against couldn't play in today's league. Some of Ruth's Home Runs actually bounced over the outfield fence and were called home runs.
Ohtani is playing against much better athletes. About 50% of the players Ruth played against couldn't play in today's league. Some of Ruth's Home Runs actually bounced over the outfield fence and were called home runs.
Ohtani is playing against much better athletes. About 50% of the players Ruth played against couldn't play in today's league. Some of Ruth's Home Runs actually bounced over the outfield fence and were called home runs.
I'd say 95% of players in Ruth's time wouldn't be in the MLB today. Drop any MLB player today as they are into the MLB in the 1920's and 1930's and we'll all know that person's name and Babe Ruth would be secondary. Look at the running version of this. No human had ever broken 4 minutes in a mile back then. The top guys today could run barefoot, trip and fall twice, and still break 4 minutes.
Ohtani is playing against much better athletes. About 50% of the players Ruth played against couldn't play in today's league. Some of Ruth's Home Runs actually bounced over the outfield fence and were called home runs.
Career WAR:
Ohtani - 51.5
Babe Ruth - 182.6
I would love to see how Walter Johnson would fare against the players of today.