On July 11, 1914, George Herman "Babe" Ruth Jr. made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox. Ruth's baseball career -- spanning 21 years and including 714 home runs -- remains relevant in the American consciousness a century later.
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Babe Ruth through the years

On July 11, 1914, George Herman "Babe" Ruth Jr. made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox. Ruth's baseball career -- spanning 21 years and including 714 home runs -- remains relevant in the American consciousness a century later.

On July 11, 1914, George Herman “Babe” Ruth Jr. made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox. Ruth’s baseball career -- spanning 21 years and including 714 home runs -- remains relevant in the American consciousness a century later.  (Tom Sande / Associated Press)

From 1914 to 1919, Ruth starred for the Boston Red Sox as a pitcher. He led the Sox to three World Series titles, in 1915, 1916 and 1918.

From 1914 to 1919, Ruth starred for the Boston Red Sox as a pitcher. He led the Sox to three World Series titles, in 1915, 1916 and 1918. (Transcendental Graphics / Getty Images)

In 1919, the Boston Red Sox sold Ruth to the New York Yankees. Ruth transformed from a star pitcher to an iconic slugger with the Yankees, hitting 54, 59, and 60 home runs in 1920, 1921, and 1927, respectively.

In 1919, the Boston Red Sox sold Ruth to the New York Yankees. Ruth transformed from a star pitcher to an iconic slugger with the Yankees, hitting 54, 59, and 60 home runs in 1920, 1921, and 1927, respectively. (United Press International / Associated Press)

On October 31, 1924, Ruth played an exhibition game at the old Brea Bowl in Orange County. Ruth hit two home runs in the game.

On October 31, 1924, Ruth played an exhibition game at the old Brea Bowl in Orange County. Ruth hit two home runs in the game.  (Brea Museum and Heritage Center / Los Angeles Times)

On September 30, 1927, Ruth hit his record-setting 60th home run off Tom Zachary of the Washington Senators. His single-season home run record stood until the New York Yankees' Roger Maris hit 61 in 1961.

On September 30, 1927, Ruth hit his record-setting 60th home run off Tom Zachary of the Washington Senators. His single-season home run record stood until the New York Yankees’ Roger Maris hit 61 in 1961. (Associated Press)

Ruth retired from baseball in 1935, accumulating 714 career home runs. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in its inaugural class in 1936. Ruth (second from left in front row) poses with other stars at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Ruth retired from baseball in 1935, accumulating 714 career home runs. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in its inaugural class in 1936. Ruth (second from left in front row) poses with other stars at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.  (Associated Press)

Babe Ruth is shown with Broadway star Nancy Carroll as the pair attended the annual roller skating party at Coney Island in 1939. During his career and after his retirement from baseball in 1935, Ruth made a reputation for his carefree and hedonistic lifestyle.

Babe Ruth is shown with Broadway star Nancy Carroll as the pair attended the annual roller skating party at Coney Island in 1939. During his career and after his retirement from baseball in 1935, Ruth made a reputation for his carefree and hedonistic lifestyle. (Associated Press)

By 1948, Ruth's health started to fail. Ruth, looking gaunt and weak at Yale Field, presents the original manuscript of "The Babe Ruth Story" to Yale baseball captain and future President George H. W. Bush.

By 1948, Ruth’s health started to fail. Ruth, looking gaunt and weak at Yale Field, presents the original manuscript of “The Babe Ruth Story” to Yale baseball captain and future President George H. W. Bush. (Don Holston / Associated Press)

Babe Ruth receives a final ovation at Yankee Stadium on June 13, 1948, just two months before his death at age 53. Nat Fein won a Pulitzer Prize for this photograph.

Babe Ruth receives a final ovation at Yankee Stadium on June 13, 1948, just two months before his death at age 53. Nat Fein won a Pulitzer Prize for this photograph. (Nat Fein/ Associated Press)

Babe Ruth's grave is decorated with items left by New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox fans in Hawthorne, N.Y., in 2004. The "Curse of the Bambino," which purportedly started in 1919 after the Red Sox sold Ruth, ended in 2004, when Boston won the World Series to end an 86-year championship drought.

Babe Ruth’s grave is decorated with items left by New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox fans in Hawthorne, N.Y., in 2004. The “Curse of the Bambino,” which purportedly started in 1919 after the Red Sox sold Ruth, ended in 2004, when Boston won the World Series to end an 86-year championship drought. (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press)

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