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How did Babe Ruth set a home run record with the Boston Red Sox in 1919?
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Babe Ruth
When he joined the New York Yankees in 1920, Babe Ruth embarked on a home-run hitting campaign that would transform baseball and establish a record that would stand for nearly four decades.
During his time with the Boston Red Sox, Babe Ruth was primarily known as a standout left-handed pitcher. However, he also demonstrated significant hitting ability, and on days when he was not pitching, manager Ed Barrow utilized him in the outfield or at first base.1
In 1919, an era when home runs were relatively rare, Ruth hit 29 home runs. This performance allowed him to surpass the previous single-season record of 27, which had been set in 1884 by Ned Williamson of the Chicago White Stockings.1