The Battle of Legends: Babe Ruth vs. Ted Williams

Last Updated: June 8, 2024

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Last Updated: June 8th, 2024 by Jake Cain

Babe Ruth and Ted Williams are two of the all-time greats. The Babe set the world on fire with his record-setting home runs, while Teddy Ballgame was universally admired for his pure hitting skills. Let’s dive into their careers, statistics, impact, and accolades to see how these two titans of baseball stack up against each other.

Babe Ruth vs Ted Williams — via Stathead

Transformative Figures in Baseball

Babe Ruth began his career as a dominant left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox but gained his legendary status as a slugging outfielder for the New York Yankees. Ruth’s career spanned from 1914 to 1935 and is credited with ushering in baseball’s live-ball era, transforming the game into a power-hitting spectacle.

Ted Williams played his entire career with the Boston Red Sox from 1939 to 1960, save for interruptions due to military service during World War II and the Korean War. Known as “The Splendid Splinter,” Williams was a left-handed hitter renowned for his incredible batting eye and scientific approach to hitting.

The Numbers Game

When it comes to raw statistics, both Ruth and Williams put up eye-popping numbers that still stand the test of time.

Babe Ruth’s Stats:

Batting Average: .342
Home Runs: 714
RBIs: 2,214
Hits: 2,873
Slugging Percentage: .690 (still the highest in MLB history)
On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS): 1.164 (2nd all-time)
Pitching: 94-46 win-loss record, 2.28 ERA (as a pitcher)

Standard Batting
Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
1914	19	BOS	AL	5	10	10	1	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	.200	.200	.300	.500	50	3		0	0			/1H
1915	20	BOS	AL	42	103	92	16	29	10	1	4	20	0	0	9	23	.315	.376	.576	.952	189	53		0	2			1H
1916	21	BOS	AL	67	152	136	18	37	5	3	3	16	0		10	23	.272	.322	.419	.741	122	57		0	4			1H
1917	22	BOS	AL	52	142	123	14	40	6	3	2	14	0		12	18	.325	.385	.472	.857	162	58		0	7			1H
1918	23	BOS	AL	95	382	317	50	95	26	11	11	61	6		58	58	.300	.411	*.555*	*.966*	192	176		2	3			7138/H
1919	24	BOS	AL	130	544	432	*103*	139	34	12	29	*113*	7		101	58	.322	*.456*	*.657*	*1.114*	*217*	*284*		6	3			*71/3H8
1920	25	NYY	AL	142	617	458	*158*	172	36	9	54	*135*	14	14	*150*	80	.376	*.532*	*.847*	*1.379*	*255*	388		3	5			*978/31H
1921	26	NYY	AL	152	693	540	*177*	204	44	16	59	*168*	17	13	*145*	81	.378	*.512*	*.846*	*1.359*	239	*457*		4	4			*78/31H
1922	27	NYY	AL	110	496	406	94	128	24	8	35	96	2	5	84	80	.315	.434	.672	1.106	182	273		1	4			*79/3
1923	28	NYY	AL	152	699	522	*151*	205	45	13	41	*130*	17	21	*170*	93	.393	*.545*	*.764*	*1.309*	*239*	*399*		4	3			*97/83	MVP-1
1924	29	NYY	AL	153	681	529	*143*	200	39	7	46	124	9	13	*142*	81	.378	*.513*	.739	1.252	220	*391*		4	6		28	*97/8H
1925	30	NYY	AL	98	426	359	61	104	12	2	25	67	2	4	59	68	.290	.393	.543	.936	137	195		2	6		1	97
1926	31	NYY	AL	152	652	495	*139*	184	30	5	47	*153*	11	9	*144*	76	.372	*.516*	.737	1.253	226	*365*		3	10		13	*79/H3
1927	32	NYY	AL	151	691	540	*158*	192	29	8	60	165	7	5	*137*	89	.356	.486	*.772*	*1.258*	*225*	417		0	14		3	*97
1928	33	NYY	AL	154	684	536	*163*	173	29	8	54	146	4	5	*137*	87	.323	.463	*.709*	1.172	*206*	*380*		3	8		8	*97
1929	34	NYY	AL	135	588	499	121	172	26	6	46	154	5	3	72	60	.345	.430	.697	1.128	193	348		3	14		5	*97/H	MVP-9
1930	35	NYY	AL	145	676	518	150	186	28	9	49	153	10	10	*136*	61	.359	.493	.732	1.225	211	379		1	21		8	*97/1	MVP-10
1931	36	NYY	AL	145	663	534	149	199	31	3	46	162	5	4	*128*	51	.373	*.495*	*.700*	*1.195*	*218*	374		1	0		5	*97/H3	MVP-5
1932	37	NYY	AL	133	589	457	120	156	13	5	41	137	2	2	*130*	62	.341	*.489*	.661	1.150	201	302		2	0		4	*97/H3	MVP-6
1933	38	NYY	AL	137	576	459	97	138	21	3	34	104	4	5	*114*	90	.301	.442	.582	1.023	176	267		2	0		3	*97/H31	AS
1934	39	NYY	AL	125	472	365	78	105	17	4	22	84	1	3	104	63	.288	.448	.537	.985	160	196		2	0		1	*97H	AS
1935	40	BSN	NL	28	92	72	13	13	0	0	6	12	0	0	20	24	.181	.359	.431	.789	119	31	2	0	0		0	7/9H
22 Yrs				2503	10628	8399	2174	2873	506	136	714	2214	123	116	2062	1330	.342	.474	.690	1.164	206	5793	2	43	114		79
162 Game Avg.				162	688	544	141	186	33	9	46	143	8		133	86	.342	.474	.690	1.164	206	375		3	7
				G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
NYY (15 yrs)				2084	9203	7217	1959	2518	424	106	659	1978	110	116	1852	1122	.349	.484	.711	1.195	209	5131		35	95		79
BOS (6 yrs)				391	1333	1110	202	342	82	30	49	224	13	0	190	184	.308	.413	.568	.981	190	631		8	19
BSN (1 yr)				28	92	72	13	13	0	0	6	12	0	0	20	24	.181	.359	.431	.789	119	31	2	0	0		0

AL (21 yrs)				2475	10536	8327	2161	2860	506	136	708	2202	123	116	2042	1306	.343	.475	.692	1.167	207	5762		43	114		79
NL (1 yr)				28	92	72	13	13	0	0	6	12	0	0	20	24	.181	.359	.431	.789	119	31	2	0	0		0

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/24/2024.

Ted Williams’s Stats:

Batting Average: .344
Home Runs: 521
RBIs: 1,839
Hits: 2,654
On-Base Percentage: .482 (MLB record)
Slugging Percentage: .634
On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS): 1.116 (2nd all-time, behind Ruth)

While Ruth’s power numbers are phenomenal, it’s worth noting Williams’ consistency and his unparalleled ability to get on base. Williams holds the record for the highest on-base percentage in MLB history, a testament to his sharp eye and disciplined approach at the plate.

Awards and Accolades

Both players hoarded personal awards throughout their careers. Here’s a snapshot of their key awards and achievements:

Babe Ruth:

2× All-Star (1933, 1934)
7× World Series Champion (1915, 1916, 1918, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932)
AL MVP (1923)
AL Batting Champion (1924)
12× AL Home Run Leader
5× AL RBI Leader
AL ERA Leader (1916)
Pitched a combined no-hitter (1917)
Hall of Fame Induction (1936)

Ted Williams:

19× All-Star (1940–1942, 1946–1960)
2× AL MVP (1946, 1949)
2× Triple Crown Winner (1942, 1947)
6× AL Batting Champion
4× AL Home Run Leader
4× AL RBI Leader
MLB Record .482 Career On-Base Percentage
Hall of Fame Induction (1966)

Standard Batting
Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
1939	20	BOS	AL	149	677	565	131	185	44	11	31	*145*	2	1	107	64	.327	.436	.609	1.045	160	344	10	2	3		12	*9	MVP-4
1940	21	BOS	AL	144	661	561	*134*	193	43	14	23	113	4	4	96	54	.344	.442	.594	1.036	162	333	13	3	1		3	*79/1H	AS,MVP-14
1941	22	BOS	AL	143	606	456	*135*	185	33	3	37	120	2	4	*147*	27	.406	*.553*	*.735*	*1.287*	*235*	335	10	3	0		25	*7H/9	AS,MVP-2
1942	23	BOS	AL	150	671	522	*141*	186	34	5	36	*137*	3	2	*145*	51	.356	*.499*	*.648*	*1.147*	*216*	*338*	12	4	0		20	*7/9	AS,MVP-2
1943			Did not play in major or minor leagues (Military Service)
1944			Did not play in major or minor leagues (Military Service)
1945			Did not play in major or minor leagues (Military Service)
1946	27	BOS	AL	150	672	514	*142*	176	37	8	38	123	0	0	*156*	44	.342	*.497*	*.667*	*1.164*	*215*	343	12	2	0		29	*7	AS,MVP-1
1947	28	BOS	AL	156	693	528	125	181	40	9	32	114	0	1	*162*	47	.343	*.499*	.634	*1.133*	*205*	335	10	2	1		29	*7	AS,MVP-2
1948	29	BOS	AL	137	638	509	124	188	44	3	25	127	4	0	126	41	.369	.497	.615	1.112	189	313	10	3	0		14	*7/H	AS,MVP-3
1949	30	BOS	AL	155	730	566	*150*	194	39	3	43	*159*	1	1	*162*	48	.343	*.490*	.650	*1.141*	*191*	368	22	2	0		11	*7	AS,MVP-1
1950	31	BOS	AL	89	416	334	82	106	24	1	28	97	3	0	82	21	.317	.452	.647	1.099	168	216	12	0	0		2	7/H	AS,MVP-21
1951	32	BOS	AL	148	675	531	109	169	28	4	30	126	1	1	*144*	45	.318	*.464*	.556	1.019	164	295	10	0	0		9	*7/H	AS,MVP-13
1952	33	BOS	AL	6	12	10	2	4	0	1	1	3	0	0	2	2	.400	.500	.900	1.400	273	9	0	0	0		0	/H7
1953	34	BOS	AL	37	110	91	17	37	6	0	13	34	0	1	19	10	.407	.509	.901	1.410	268	82	1	0	0		1	7H	AS,MVP-26
1954	35	BOS	AL	117	526	386	93	133	23	1	29	89	0	0	*136*	32	.345	*.513*	.635	*1.148*	*201*	245	10	1	0	3	17	*7/H	AS,MVP-7
1955	36	BOS	AL	98	417	320	77	114	21	3	28	83	2	0	91	24	.356	.496	.703	1.200	209	225	8	2	0	4	17	7/H	AS,MVP-4
1956	37	BOS	AL	136	503	400	71	138	28	2	24	82	0	0	102	39	.345	*.479*	.605	1.084	172	242	13	1	0	0	11	*7H	AS,MVP-6
1957	38	BOS	AL	132	547	420	96	163	28	1	38	87	0	1	119	43	*.388*	*.526*	*.731*	*1.257*	*233*	307	11	5	0	2	33	*7/H	AS,MVP-2
1958	39	BOS	AL	129	517	411	81	135	23	2	26	85	1	0	98	49	.328	*.458*	.584	*1.042*	179	240	19	4	0	4	12	*7H	AS,MVP-7
1959	40	BOS	AL	103	331	272	32	69	15	0	10	43	0	0	52	27	.254	.372	.419	.791	114	114	7	2	0	5	6	7H	AS,AS,MVP-26
1960	41	BOS	AL	113	390	310	56	98	15	0	29	72	1	1	75	41	.316	.451	.645	1.096	190	200	7	3	0	2	7	7H	AS,AS,MVP-13
19 Yrs				2292	9792	7706	1798	2654	525	71	521	1839	24	17	2021	709	.344	.482	.634	1.116	191	4884	197	39	5	20	258
162 Game Avg.				162	692	545	127	188	37	5	37	130	2	1	143	50	.344	.482	.634	1.116	191	345	14	3	0		18
				G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/24/2024.

Williams’ 19 All-Star selections showcase his incredible consistency over two decades, while Ruth’s seven World Series titles highlight his success on the biggest stage. It’s worth noting that Ruth only won one MVP because the award didn’t exist for the majority of his career, and early rules prevented players from winning consecutive MVPs.

Impact on the Game

Babe Ruth:

Ruth’s impact on baseball cannot be overstated. He is solely responsible for transitioning the game from a low-scoring, strategy-focused sport to the power-hitting game we know now. Fans flocked to the parks to see him play, and he helped establish the Yankees as baseball’s premier franchise.

Ruth’s influence extended beyond the diamond, as he became a cultural icon. His charismatic personality and penchant for an extravagant lifestyle made him a household name, and his feats—like hitting 60 home runs in 1927—are still the stuff of legend.

Ted Williams:

Williams’ impact was more technical, focusing on the art and science of hitting. His meticulous approach to the game, coupled with his raw talent, set new standards for what it meant to be a pure hitter. Williams is the last player to have hit over .400 in a season (.406 in 1941), a record that has stood for more than 80 years.

Williams’ career was also marked by his military service, during which he missed nearly five full seasons in his prime. Despite these interruptions, his achievements and statistics remain among the best in the game, showcasing his extraordinary talent and dedication.

Career Highlights and Legacy

Babe Ruth:

Ruth’s career is filled with iconic moments, including his called shot during the 1932 World Series and his record-setting 60 home runs in 1927. His ability to both pitch and hit at an elite level sets him apart from almost every other player in history.

After his playing days, Ruth’s influence continued. He was one of the first five inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and Yankee Stadium is often referred to as “The House That Ruth Built.”

Ted Williams:

Williams’ career highlights include his .406 batting average in 1941 and his two Triple Crowns. He was known for his discipline at the plate and his ability to get on base regularly, finishing his career with the highest on-base percentage in MLB history.

Williams’ legacy extends beyond the ballpark. His advocacy for the recognition of Negro League players during his Hall of Fame induction speech in 1966 paved the way for the inclusion of many deserving players. Williams’ commitment to the Jimmy Fund and his humble, fan-friendly demeanor made him a beloved figure in Boston and beyond.

Cultural Impact

Ruth was not just a baseball player; he was an American legend. His exploits on and off the field captured the imagination of a nation and helped baseball become America’s pastime. His larger-than-life persona has been immortalized in countless books, movies, and even candy bars.

Williams, while not as flamboyant as Ruth, was equally impactful in his own right. He was a hero to many for his service in the military, and his scientific approach to hitting inspired generations of players. Williams’ humility and his devotion to charitable causes endeared him to fans, making him a revered figure in the baseball community.

The Final Verdict

Comparing Babe Ruth and Ted Williams is like comparing apples and oranges. Ruth revolutionized baseball with his power and charisma, while Williams perfected the art of hitting with discipline and scientific precision. Both players left indelible marks on the game, each in their unique way.

Ruth’s achievements as both a hitter and a pitcher set him apart, while Williams’ consistency and on-base prowess make him one of the greatest hitters of all time. Both players brought something special to the table, forever changing the landscape of baseball.

Whether you lean towards Ruth’s larger-than-life legend or Williams’ scientific mastery of hitting, there’s no denying that both are among the greatest players to ever step onto a baseball field. Their legacies continue to inspire, and their records remain benchmarks of excellence in America’s beloved pastime.