What Positions Did Babe Ruth Play During His Career?
During his career, Babe Ruth is known mainly for his exploits as a hitter, particularly his record of 714 home runs. Many people don’t realize, however, that Ruth was also an outstanding fielder and pitcher. Ruth played all nine positions throughout his 22-year MLB career.
Positions Played by Babe Ruth
- Pitcher: Ruth was a dominant pitcher for the Boston Red Sox from 1914 to 1919. He had a 94-46 record over seven seasons, with an ERA of 2.28. He also finished nine of his 11 complete seasons with an ERA under 2.50.
- Catcher: Ruth’s first position with the Red Sox was as a catcher. He was an excellent catcher with excellent arm strength. He was able to throw out runners from deep behind the plate.
- First Base: While primarily a catcher with the Red Sox, Ruth occasionally filled in for the first baseman. While not as adept at first, Ruth had a good glove and was surprisingly quick for such a large man.
- Outfield: Ruth was a dominant outfielder for the Red Sox and the New York Yankees. He had excellent speed and range for a man of his size, and he had one of the most powerful throwing arms in the league.
- Third Base: Ruth occasionally saw time at third base, most notably in 1918 when he split most of the season at third and in the outfield. He was a serviceable fielder, but not especially adept at the position.
- Shortstop: While the majority of his defensive career was spent in the outfield, Ruth occasionally played shortstop.
- Second Base: Ruth filled in at second base during the 1921 season, when he was primarily an outfielder.
Conclusion
Babe Ruth was an exceptional all-around player, playing all nine positions during his 22-year career. He was most successful in the outfield, but he was also an outstanding pitcher and fielder at every position he played.
