Babe Ruth’s Effect on the 1920s

 In America, in the 1920s, Babe Ruth was a great symbol of the open era. The 1920s was an era where the people of America had a lack intention to follow the law. This made the 1920s a lawless era (Nash 374). An example of the lack of attention to the law is in the times of Prohibition many Americans gave no attempt to follow that law. Prohibition is the prevention to make or sell alcohol. However, many Americans did not care about this law (Nash 398).

Babe Ruth affected the United States in the 1920s by his fan base and the effect he had on them, creating a high standard for baseball and everyday life, and his image and example of perseverance.

Babe Ruth affected the 1920s, using his fan base and the effect that he had on them. One case that shows how Babe Ruth was with Tom Beatty. As a kid Tom Beatty struggled with reading but, one day while in the library, a book with Babe Ruth on the front caught his eye. He was intrigued by the book and began to read it (Beatty). Babe Ruth affected so many people in his lifetime that there were 75,000 who went to his funeral in the rain (Feinberg). “The biograph was a literacy experience that will always be special to me” (Beatty). This shows some of the impact that Babe Ruth had on people's life. Babe Ruth inspired his fan and motivated them to be a better version of themselves.

Another example of Babe Ruth’s impact that he had on his fans is when the army used him for advertising purposes. The army sought out Babe Ruth in 1926 to advertise a summer camp. Babe Ruth advertised a summer camp by catching a baseball out of a plane. The New York Times wrote, “The ball catching stunt was promoted by the army to advertise a summer camp” (“Babe Ruth Catches Ball From Airplane…”). This shows how Babe Ruth has an affect on people because the army chose him which shows that he has a big enough following.

Babe Ruth affected the 1920s by setting a high standard for baseball and everyday life. Babe Ruth set a good example in baseball by setting several world records. Babe Ruth had several accomplishments in his baseball career including, winning four world series, getting 714 career home runs, leading the league 12 times in home runs, and athlete of the century in 1999 (“Babe Ruth Baseball Superstar”). Also, Babe Ruth always attracted a large crowd wherever he was (Seelhorst). Babe Ruth was an important part for his Yankees team, “In his 15 seasons with the Yankees, Ruth and his team won seven pennants and four World Series. Aggressively compiling records, Ruth glamorized baseball” (“Babe Ruth Baseball Superstar”). This shows that Babe Ruth set a high standard in baseball during the 1920s. Babe Ruth set a good example for baseball players to aim for by breaking and holding several world records, winning several world series, and leading the league in home runs several times. This all shows that Babe Ruth set a high standard in life and baseball and people look up to him.

Babe Ruth created a high standard for everyday life by displaying good behavior and following his faith. One example of Babe Ruth showing his good behavior and good deeds is in the case where he visited a young sick boy Johnny Sylvester. Johnny Sylvester very sick and his father wanted to get autographs from the world series teams, cardinals and Yankees. Babe Ruth promised to get a home run for Johnny Sylvester. After the game, Babe Ruth went to visit Johnny Sylvester (“‘Dr.’ BABE RUTH CALLS ON BOY PATIENT”). Another example of Babe Ruth setting a high standard for everyday life is the way that he followed his faith. Babe Ruth lived a very religious life which sets a standard and is a good example for people to do the same as him (O'Loughlin). Michael O'Loughlin, writer for cruxnom.com, writes about an example of his religious life, “He pointed back to Ruth’s wild nights and his apparent search for forgiveness” (O'Loughlin). This shows how Babe Ruth always wanted to be forgiven so that he can continue to live as a good person and not have his wrong doings follow him. Babe Ruth set a high standard for life because of his good deeds and religious background.

Another example of how Babe Ruth affected the 1920s is his image and example of perseverance. Babe Ruth showed his perseverance in many different ways. One of these ways was demonstrated during his childhood. As a child Babe Ruth was mostly on his own. Babe Ruth’s father was very busy and his mother was very sick providing Babe Ruth no attention (Rader). Righter Benjamin G. Rader writes, “Since neither his busy father nor his sickly mother had much time for the youngster, George roamed the streets, engaged in petty thievery, chewed tobacco, sometimes got drunk, repeatedly skipped school, and had several run-ins with the law” (Rader). After Babe Ruth lived most of his childhood alone and self responsible he became one of the best baseball players of his time. This shows his perseverance because after being challenged and not getting much help as a child Babe Ruth shows that you can be successful.

Babe Ruth affected the 1920s is his image and example of perseverance. One example of Babe Ruth and his perseverance is his method of getting in shape. When Babe Ruth at one point was all about his shot. Babe Ruth was severely overweight so he had to rely on home runs to score. Babe Ruth decided that he wanted to get into good shape. So he started to do hard workouts and get into good shape (“EXPLOITING BABE RUTH”). This shows Babe Ruth’s perseverance and example to the American people because he worked hard to achieve his goal. This would be a good motivation to the people. Babe Ruth was an example of perseverance and motivation to the American people who were lost in a new era. Gary Nash writes “Babe Ruth was perfect hero for a country undergoing vast change in a bold, hungry and lawless era” (Nash 374). This shows how the people saw Babe Ruth as a good role model. Babe Ruth was a good example for people to work hard and stay motivated.

Babe Ruth not only had an affect and connection to the past, but Babe Ruth also has affected the present and also has connection to the current era. One example of Babe Ruth’s connection to the current era is in the case of rhythmic American poet Daniel Hernandez more commonly known as tekashi 6ix9ine. Currently, Daniel Hernandez is facing several charges and years in prison. This relates to Babe Ruth because in his time, Babe Ruth, had more than one run ins with the law. One example of Babe Ruth's runin with the law is from 1927 when Babe Ruth he had a warrant issued for his arrest after he missed his court date (“Babe Ruth Bail Forfeited…”). Another way that this relates and connects to the current era is in the case of another popular rhythmic American poet Belcalis Almanzar more commonly known as Cardi B. Belcalis Almanzar just recently missed her court date and went to go film a music video. Also, Belcalis Almanzar also just recently got divorced which relates because Babe Ruth married, but then he split off from his partner and started seeing someone else. However, Babe Ruth did not get remarried until his first wife died (“MYSTERY BLAZE FATAL TO WIFE OF ‘BABE’ RUTH”). Also, many baseball players and other sports players hope to be just as successful as him.

Babe Ruth had an amazing effect on the 1920s that is still lasting today. Babe Ruth affected the 1920s in many different ways including by his fan base and the effect he had on them, creating a high standard for baseball and everyday life, and his image and example of perseverance. Babe Ruth demonstrated his affect that he has on his fan base by motivating them to be a better version of them self. Babe Ruth also created a high standard in baseball that other players sought out to achieve. He did this by acquiring and holding several world records. Babe Ruth also created a high standard for everyday life by doing good deeds and practicing good faith. Babe Ruth also showed a good example of perseverance which served as motivation for american people. Babe Ruth now is an example for sports player, mainly baseball, to be as good. Babe Ruth is also very similar to pop culture today.  

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