What Years Did Babe Ruth Play Baseball? Career Span Revealed

By Sarah Miller · November 20, 2027

Babe Ruth played Major League Baseball from 1914 to 1935, spending time with the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Boston Braves during his 22-season career.

Overview of Babe Ruth's Professional Baseball Career

Babe Ruth, widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players in history, played professionally for 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). His career spanned from 1914 to 1935, a period that reshaped the game through his unprecedented power-hitting ability. He began with the Boston Red Sox, contributed to multiple World Series titles, and later became a legend with the New York Yankees before finishing his career with the Boston Braves.

Teams Babe Ruth Played For

Boston Red Sox (1914–1919): Started as a pitcher and evolved into a dominant hitter.
New York Yankees (1920–1934): Became a full-time outfielder and home run icon.
Boston Braves (1935): Final season before retirement.

Ruth's Career Timeline and Key Milestones

Ruth's journey through MLB reflects both personal transformation and the evolution of baseball in the early 20th century. From a stellar left-handed pitcher to the most feared slugger of his era, his timeline includes several pivotal moments.

Notable Career Highlights

Made his MLB debut on July 11, 1914, with the Boston Red Sox.
Won three World Series titles with Boston (1915, 1916, 1918).
Traded to the Yankees in 1919, marking the start of the "Curse of the Bambino".
Hit 60 home runs in 1927, a record that stood for 34 years.
Retired after the 1935 season following a brief stint with the Boston Braves.
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936 as one of the first five members.

Detailed Season-by-Season Performance

Year	Team	Games	At Bats	Runs	Hits	HR	RBI	BA
1914	BOS (AL)	5	10	2	2	0	2	.200
1915	BOS (AL)	42	92	15	21	4	13	.231
1916	BOS (AL)	27	71	12	18	3	12	.254
1917	BOS (AL)	39	117	14	32	2	13	.274
1918	BOS (AL)	95	317	50	95	11	66	.300
1919	BOS (AL)	130	432	103	139	29	114	.322
1920	NYA (AL)	142	458	158	172	54	137	.376
1921	NYA (AL)	152	540	177	204	59	171	.378
1922	NYA (AL)	110	406	94	128	35	99	.315
1923	NYA (AL)	152	522	151	205	41	130	.393
1924	NYA (AL)	153	529	143	202	46	121	.385
1925	NYA (AL)	98	339	87	104	25	98	.307
1926	NYA (AL)	150	540	139	209	47	146	.373
1927	NYA (AL)	151	540	158	192	60	164	.356
1928	NYA (AL)	154	536	163	219	54	142	.406
1929	NYA (AL)	135	459	103	154	46	154	.336
1930	NYA (AL)	150	518	150	181	49	153	.350
1931	NYA (AL)	145	539	128	199	46	163	.369
1932	NYA (AL)	133	457	120	156	41	137	.349
1933	NYA (AL)	148	507	113	144	34	105	.284
1934	NYA (AL)	125	453	84	142	22	81	.313
1935	BOS (NL)	28	72	13	20	6	13	.278

Table data source:1

The table illustrates Babe Ruth's dominance, particularly between 1920 and 1934 with the Yankees. His home run totals consistently led the league, and his batting average remained above .300 for most of his prime years. The 1927 season stands out as historic, when he hit 60 home runs—a benchmark for excellence in baseball for decades.

Frequently Asked Questions About Babe Ruth's Career Years

What years did Babe Ruth play in Major League Baseball?

Babe Ruth played in Major League Baseball from 1914 to 1935, appearing in games across 22 seasons for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Boston Braves.

Which teams did Babe Ruth play for during his career?

Babe Ruth played for three teams: the Boston Red Sox (1914–1919), the New York Yankees (1920–1934), and the Boston Braves (1935).

When did Babe Ruth join the New York Yankees?

Babe Ruth was traded to the New York Yankees in January 1919 and began playing for them in the 1920 season, marking a turning point in baseball history.

How long did Babe Ruth play for the Yankees?

Babe Ruth played for the New York Yankees for 15 seasons, from 1920 to 1934, during which he became the face of the franchise and a national icon.

What was Babe Ruth's last year in professional baseball?

Babe Ruth's final season was 1935, when he played 28 games for the Boston Braves before retiring in June of that year.

Did Babe Ruth play any position besides outfielder?

Yes, early in his career with the Boston Red Sox, Babe Ruth was primarily a left-handed pitcher. He won 89 games and helped secure three World Series titles before transitioning to a full-time hitter.