Who Was Baseball’s Best? The Babe vs. The Say Hey Kid

Last Updated: May 29, 2024

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Last Updated: May 29th, 2024 by Jake Cain

If you ask experts for their baseball Mount Rushmore, you’re likely to hear two names come up a lot: Babe Ruth and Willie Mays. Ruth is an icon and is often credited with transforming baseball into a game of home runs, captivating America with his power at the plate. Mays, on the other hand, dazzled with his all-around abilities. Let’s dive into these two historic careers and see how they stack up against each other.

Babe Ruth vs Willie Mays — via Stathead

Early Careers and Breakthroughs

Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth’s journey to baseball greatness began in an unconventional setting. At age seven, he was placed in St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys in Baltimore, where he developed his baseball skills under the guidance of Brother Matthias. Signed by the Boston Red Sox in 1914, Ruth initially made a name for himself as a formidable pitcher. By 1919, he had transitioned to the outfield, amassing 29 home runs and setting a new MLB single-season record. His trade to the New York Yankees in 1920 marked the beginning of a new era, both for Ruth and for baseball.

Willie Mays

Willie Mays, born in Westfield, Alabama, in 1931, was a natural athlete from a young age. His professional career started in the Negro Leagues with the Birmingham Black Barons before being signed by the New York Giants in 1950. Mays made his MLB debut in 1951 and quickly showcased his immense talent, earning the Rookie of the Year award. His over-the-shoulder catch in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series is still considered one of the most iconic plays in baseball history.

Statistical Comparison

Batting and Home Runs

Babe Ruth’s career batting statistics are nothing short of legendary. Over 22 seasons, he hit .342 with 2,873 hits, 714 home runs, and 2,214 RBIs. Ruth led the American League in home runs 12 times and was a key figure in the Yankees’ “Murderers’ Row” lineup.

Willie Mays, on the other hand, had a career batting average of .302, but tops Ruth with his 3,283 hits. Mays also had 660 home runs and 1,903 RBIs over his 22 seasons. Known for his balanced approach, Mays not only hit for power but also excelled in getting on base and stealing bases. He led the National League in home runs four times and was a perennial MVP candidate.

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.

Fielding and Base Running

While Ruth was renowned for his batting, his fielding skills were often overshadowed. However, he was a competent outfielder and an even better pitcher for the Red Sox, going 94-46 with a 2.28 ERA.

Mays, conversely, was a defensive wizard. His 12 Gold Glove Awards set a standard for excellence in the outfield and remain the MLB record for center fielders. Known for his incredible range and strong arm, Mays led NL center fielders in double plays five times and assists three times. His base running was equally impressive, with 338 stolen bases, leading the league four times in the 1950s.

Awards and Accolades

Babe Ruth

7× World Series champion (1915, 1916, 1918, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932)
2× All-Star (1933, 1934)
AL MVP (1923)
12× AL home run leader
AL batting champion (1924)
5× AL RBI leader
AL ERA leader (1916)
MLB All-Century Team
MLB All-Time Team
Hall of Fame induction (1936, 95.1% vote)

Willie Mays

24× All-Star (1954–1973)
World Series champion (1954)
2× NL MVP (1954, 1965)
NL Rookie of the Year (1951)
12× Gold Glove Award (1957–1968)
4× NL home run leader
4× NL stolen base leader
NL batting champion (1954)
Major League Baseball All-Century Team
Major League Baseball All-Time Team
Hall of Fame induction (1979, 94.7% vote)
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2015)

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
1948	17	BBB	NAL	13	48	43	6	10	2	1	0	6	1		4		.233	.313	.326	.638	71	14		1	0			7/9

1951	20	NYG	NL	121	524	464	59	127	22	5	20	68	7	4	57	60	.274	.356	.472	.828	120	219	11	2	1		7	*8	RoY-1
1952	21	NYG	NL	34	144	127	17	30	2	4	4	23	4	1	16	17	.236	.326	.409	.736	102	52	2	1	0		1	8
1953			Did not play in major or minor leagues (Military Service)
1954	23	NYG	NL	151	641	565	119	195	33	13	41	110	8	5	66	57	*.345*	.411	*.667*	1.078	175	377	12	2	0	7	14	*8	AS,MVP-1
1955	24	NYG	NL	152	670	580	123	185	18	13	51	127	24	4	79	60	.319	.400	*.659*	*1.059*	174	*382*	12	4	0	7	13	*8	AS,MVP-4
1956	25	NYG	NL	152	651	578	101	171	27	8	36	84	40	10	68	65	.296	.369	.557	.926	146	322	16	1	0	3	20	*8	AS,MVP-17
1957	26	NYG	NL	152	669	585	112	195	26	20	35	97	38	19	76	62	.333	.407	.626	1.033	173	366	14	1	0	6	15	*8/H	AS,MVP-4,GG
1958	27	SFG	NL	152	685	600	121	208	33	11	29	96	31	6	78	56	.347	.419	.583	1.002	165	350	11	1	0	6	12	*8/H	AS,MVP-2,GG
1959	28	SFG	NL	151	649	575	125	180	43	5	34	104	27	4	65	58	.313	.381	.583	.964	156	335	11	2	0	6	9	*8/H	AS,AS,MVP-6,GG
1960	29	SFG	NL	153	669	595	107	*190*	29	12	29	103	25	10	61	70	.319	.381	.555	.936	160	330	15	4	0	9	11	*8/H	AS,AS,MVP-3,GG
1961	30	SFG	NL	154	659	572	129	176	32	3	40	123	18	9	81	77	.308	.393	.584	.977	160	334	14	2	0	4	15	*8/H	AS,AS,MVP-6,GG
1962	31	SFG	NL	162	706	621	130	189	36	5	49	141	18	2	78	85	.304	.384	.615	.999	165	*382*	19	4	0	3	11	*8/H	AS,AS,MVP-2,GG
1963	32	SFG	NL	157	671	596	115	187	32	7	38	103	8	3	66	83	.314	.380	.582	.962	175	347	15	2	0	7	5	*8/H6	AS,MVP-5,GG
1964	33	SFG	NL	157	665	578	121	171	21	9	47	111	19	5	82	72	.296	.383	*.607*	.990	172	351	11	1	1	3	13	*8/H356	AS,MVP-6,GG
1965	34	SFG	NL	157	638	558	118	177	21	3	52	112	9	4	76	71	.317	*.398*	*.645*	*1.043*	*185*	*360*	11	0	2	2	16	*8/H97	AS,MVP-1,GG
1966	35	SFG	NL	152	629	552	99	159	29	4	37	103	5	1	70	81	.288	.368	.556	.924	149	307	13	2	1	4	11	*8/9H7	AS,MVP-3,GG
1967	36	SFG	NL	141	544	486	83	128	22	2	22	70	6	0	51	92	.263	.334	.453	.787	124	220	12	2	2	3	7	*8H	AS,GG
1968	37	SFG	NL	148	573	498	84	144	20	5	23	79	12	6	67	81	.289	.372	.488	.860	156	243	13	2	0	6	7	*8/H39	AS,MVP-13,GG
1969	38	SFG	NL	117	459	403	64	114	17	3	13	58	6	2	49	71	.283	.362	.437	.798	124	176	8	3	0	4	7	8H/93	AS
1970	39	SFG	NL	139	566	478	94	139	15	2	28	83	5	0	79	90	.291	.390	.506	.897	140	242	7	3	0	6	3	*8H/3	AS
1971	40	SFG	NL	136	537	417	82	113	24	5	18	61	23	3	112	123	.271	.425	.482	.907	158	201	8	3	1	4	11	83H	AS,MVP-19
1972	41	TOT	NL	88	309	244	35	61	11	1	8	22	4	5	60	48	.250	.400	.402	.802	131	98	9	1	4	0	6	8H3	AS
1972	41	SFG	NL	19	67	49	8	9	2	0	0	3	3	0	17	5	.184	.394	.224	.618	79	11	4	0	1	0	1	8/H
1972	41	NYM	NL	69	242	195	27	52	9	1	8	19	1	5	43	43	.267	.402	.446	.848	145	87	5	1	3	0	5	8H3
1973	42	NYM	NL	66	239	209	24	44	10	0	6	25	1	0	27	47	.211	.303	.344	.647	81	72	7	1	1	1	0	83/H	AS
23 Yrs				3005	12545	10924	2068	3293	525	141	660	1909	339	103	1468	1526	.301	.384	.557	.940	155	6080	251	45	13	91	214
162 Game Avg.				162	676	589	111	178	28	8	36	103	18		79		.301	.384	.557	.940	155	328		2	1
				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
SFG (21 yrs)				2857	12016	10477	2011	3187	504	139	646	1859	336	98	1394	1436	.304	.385	.564	.949	157	5907	239	42	9	90	209
NYM (2 yrs)				135	481	404	51	96	19	1	14	44	2	5	70	90	.238	.352	.394	.746	112	159	12	2	4	1	5
BBB (1 yr)				13	48	43	6	10	2	1	0	6	1		4		.233	.313	.326	.638	71	14		1	0

NL (22 yrs)				2992	12497	10881	2062	3283	523	140	660	1903	338	103	1464	1526	.302	.384	.557	.941	156	6066	251	44	13	91	214
NAL (1 yr)				13	48	43	6	10	2	1	0	6	1		4		.233	.313	.326	.638	71	14		1	0

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

Impact on the Game

Babe Ruth’s Legacy

Ruth’s impact on baseball is immeasurable. He transformed the game from a low-scoring, strategy-driven pastime to a sport where the home run became central. His larger-than-life persona drew crowds and boosted the popularity of baseball, helping the Yankees become the dominant force they are today. The “Curse of the Bambino” is a testament to his lasting influence, with the Red Sox’s championship drought following his trade to the Yankees.

Willie Mays’s Contributions

Mays brought a different kind of excitement to the game. His combination of power, speed, and defensive prowess made him a complete player, often referred to as a five-tool player. Mays’ performance in the 1954 World Series and his consistency over two decades helped the Giants transition smoothly from New York to San Francisco. His influence extended beyond the field, inspiring many young African-American players to pursue baseball during a time of significant social change.

Cultural Significance

Babe Ruth

Ruth was more than a baseball player; he was a cultural icon. His off-field antics, charitable efforts, and larger-than-life persona made him a household name. Ruth’s influence extended into American culture, with his name synonymous with greatness. Even today, nearly a century after his prime, Ruth remains a central figure in baseball lore.

Willie Mays

Mays’s impact went beyond his on-field exploits. As an African-American player excelling during the Civil Rights Movement, Mays broke barriers and served as a role model for future generations. His dedication to the game and his ability to perform under pressure made him a beloved figure in baseball and American culture.

Conclusion

Both Babe Ruth and Willie Mays left indelible marks on baseball, each in their unique way. Ruth’s power hitting and ability to draw crowds helped shape the modern game, while Mays’s all-around excellence set new standards for what a baseball player could be. Ultimately, comparing these two legends is like comparing two different masterpieces; each brought their own flair and talent, enriching the sport forever. Whether you’re a fan of the long ball or a lover of complete athleticism, both Ruth and Mays offer timeless examples of baseball greatness.