June 13: The Babe

Welcome to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Today is June 13th, and our story is The Babe. George Herman Ruth Jr. was, as his admission papers to St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys testified, incorrigible. Just what incorrigible entailed is a little fuzzy. But whatever the boy who would become the babe was up to, it wasn't good. And on June 13, 1902, it earned the seven-year-old Ruth a one-way trip to St. Mary's. The Baltimore Reformatory didn't help much, though. During Ruth's twelve years there, the future slugger found himself in constant trouble for fighting, insubordination, and general mischief-making.

Despite misbehaving, or perhaps because of it, Ruth developed an abiding affection for the school's chief disciplinarian, Brother Matthias Bootlier. It was Boutlier who encouraged the boy to play baseball, and it was Boutlier who helped him develop his signature power swing.

Ruth eventually came to think of Boutlier as a father figure, and even though the religious brother didn't succeed in reforming Ruth, he planted seeds that gradually took root. Ruth left St. Mary's in 1914 after a major league scout saw him play baseball at a game against a team at Mount St. Mary's College. In the years that followed, Ruth's power hitting changed baseball. It also won three World Series for the Boston Red Sox and four World Series for the New York Yankees.

Of the dozen-plus records Ruth broke in his 21-year career, several, including his .690 slugging percentage still stand. Off the field, Ruth was as notorious for his drinking and womanizing as he was generous to St. Mary's and the poor.

Teammates likewise recalled Ruth painting the town red on Saturday night, then heading off to Mass on Sunday morning. By 1946, however, when Babe fell ill with cancer, the wild days were over, and the seeds planted at St. Mary's came into full bloom. As death approached, Ruth explained, once religion sinks in, it stays there, deep down. The lads who get religious training get it where it counts, in the roots. They may fail it, but it never fails them. Ruth died a penitent, practicing Catholic in 1948.

Faith, when combined with skill and discipline, leaves a lasting imprint, transforming talent into legacy. Ruth's life also shows that growth is lifelong. Early guidance can flourish in maturity, producing both excellence and moral grounding. Think of someone in your life who can benefit from mentorship, guidance, or encouragement, and commit to offering that this week. Thank you for listening to the American Catholic Daily Reader Podcast. Join us tomorrow, June 14th, for another story of faith and courage in America.