Babe Ruth

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"The only real game, I think, in the world is baseball". This is a quote from Babe Ruth. Baseball wouldn't be what it is today if it weren't for him. People remember him as the greatest baseball player ever. This is what led me to read the book, Heroes of America, Babe Ruth, by Len Canter. George Herman Ruth was born on February 6, 1895, at his grandparent's home in Baltimore, Maryland. He was born to Katherine and George Ruth, Sr. He was the first born of eight children, but only his sister, Mamie, and he survived to live full lives. Growing up, George had a wild childhood. His parents owned a tavern, which they lived above, and they were rarely around to give George the guidance a small child needs. George felt little love from his parents. He came from a poor family and sometimes didn't even know where his next meal was coming from. As a child, with no supervision, George ran the streets of Baltimore basically doing anything he wanted. He was always in trouble for something. By the time he was seven years old, he was chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol, steeling, and skipping school. His parents were fed up with him and realized they had to do something to straighten him out. On June 13, 1902, his father took him to St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys. This was a reformatory and an orphanage. His father signed over custody to the Brothers, who were the Missionaries that ran the school. George spent 12 years at the school and only saw his parents on a few occasions when he was sent home. Each time he was allowed to go home, he would get into trouble and his parents would send him right back to the school. Life was not easy for George at the school because he was labeled as an uncontrolled child. The only good thing that came from it was meeting Brother Mathias. He was someone that George admired and respected. He spent a lot of time with George and he had a big influence in his life. He spent hour after hour teaching him how to play baseball, as well as, the great love for children. George considered Brother Mathias "the greatest man he had ever known". During his years at St.

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