"I swing big, with everything I've got. I hit big or I miss big. I like to live as big as I can." — Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth is without a doubt the most famous character ever produced by the sport of baseball. A legendary player, world-famous for his hitting prowess, he transcended the sport to enter the mainstream of American life as an authentic folk hero.

In this extraordinary biography, noted sportswriter Robert W. Creamer reveals the complex man behind the sports legend. From Ruth's early days in a Baltimore orphanage, to the glory days with the Yankees, to his later years, Creamer has drawn a classic portrait of an American original.

The best biography ever written about an American sports figure.

Babe Ruth is without a doubt the most famous character ever produced by the sport of baseball. A legendary player, world-famous for his hitting prowess, he transcended the sport to enter the mainstream of American life as an authentic folk hero.

In this extraordinary biography, noted sportswriter Robert W. Creamer reveals the complex man behind the sports legend. From Ruth's early days in a Baltimore orphanage, to the glory days with the Yankees, to his later years, Creamer has drawn a classic portrait of an American original.

Part One

1894-1919

1. Legend and Truth: Babe Ruth Lives

2. The Bad Kid: Baltimore at the Turn of the Century

3. Early Exile: Niggerlips in St. Mary's

4. The Star of the School: Enter Jack Dunn

5. First Spring Training: Home Run in Fayetteville

6. The Young Professional: Winning with the Orioles

7. Arrival in Boston: Meeting Helen

8. Retreat to the Minors: Pennant in Providence

9. The Major Leaguer: Pennant in Boston

10. The Lefthanded Genius: Best Pitcher in Baseball

11. Emergence of Temperament: How to Punch an Umpire

12. The Beginnings of the Hitter: Switching to the Outfield

13. The Impact of War: Baseball in World War I

14. The 1918 World Series: The Abortive Strike

15. The Big Fight: Ruth vs. Barrow

16. The First Home Run Record: Magic 29

17. Departure from Boston: Sold down the River

Part Two

1920-1948

18. Revolution in Baseball: Ruth Reaches New York

19. The Amazing Season: Nothing Like It Ever Before

20. Encore: Topping the Amazing Season

21. The Second Big Fight: Ruth vs. Landis

22. The Fall of the Hero: Ruth in Disgrace

23. The jinx and the Baby: The Weird Season Ends

24. The First Reformation: How to Bat -393

25. The Disaster: The Bellyache Heard Round the World

26. The Third Big Fight: Ruth vs. Huggins

27. The Real Reformation: The Superb Seasons

28. Kaleidoscope: Personality of the Babe

29. Death of Helen: Marriage to Claire

30. The $80,000 Salary: A Better Year than Hoover

31. The Magnificent Moment: The Called-Shot Home Run

32. Decline: It's Hell to Be Old

33. Farewell to New York: Back to Boston

34. The Last Act: Opera Bouffe with the Braves

35. Retirement: The Call That Never Came

36. The End: Joe, I'm Gone

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INDEX