Babe Ruth Hits His Final Three Home Runs

On May 25, 1935, Babe Ruth hit three home runs for the Boston Braves against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field. The third was the 714th and final home run of his career. It cleared the right field grandstand roof, a feat only Ruth had ever accomplished at that ballpark.

Ruth was 40 years old and physically spent. He had left the Yankees after the 1934 season, bitter that the team would not offer him a managing job, and signed with the Boston Braves under the vague promise that he might eventually manage there too. The promise was hollow. Braves owner Emil Fuchs wanted Ruth's name on the marquee. Nothing more.

The 1935 season was painful. Ruth hit .181 in 28 games. His body could not do what his instincts demanded. He was slow in the outfield, slow on the bases, and mostly helpless at the plate. The three-homer game in Pittsburgh was a sudden, violent reminder of what he had been.

The first homer came off Guy Bush in the first inning. The second came off Bush in the third. The third, the one that cleared the roof, came off Bush in the seventh. Bush, who would later say he simply could not get the ball past Ruth that day, gave up all three. Pirates players and fans stood and watched the final blast with something close to awe.

Ruth played one more game after that, going hitless on May 30. He retired on June 2, 1935. The 714 home run total stood as the career record for 39 years, until Hank Aaron passed it on April 8, 1974.

The last day Ruth looked like Ruth was in Pittsburgh, against the roof at Forbes Field.