1.5 Raised in an orphanage in Baltimore, Maryland, George Herman Ruth was baseball's greatest home run hitter and perhaps the game's most dynamic player. A long-time New York Yankee player, the "Sultan of Swat" hit 714 homers for an unequalled lifetime record. In each of 11 seasons he hit more than 40 home runs. His 1927 record of 60 lasted 34 years. Even in his farewell game in 1935 he slammed three homers, one of them among the longest ever hit. Potato- nosed and moon-faced, Ruth's 15-stone-plus bulk atop spindly legs gave him a mincing gait. Yet he played with gusto (as he ate and drank). He struck out as dramatically as he hit home runs and was worth $85,000 annual pay even in Depression years like 1930, so great was his drawing power. Along with Dempsey, Tilden, Bobby Jones and Hagen, he ruled America's Golden Age of Sport, the Twenties, and and he was among the first five elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame. Although a much deader ball was used in his heyday, Ruth reigned supreme. More than anyone else he shaped baseball into a crowd-rousing, home-run spectacle @ 2.2 A young man about 30 years of age, who 15 years ago was an inmate of a Catholic orphanage near New York, this week signed a three years' contract at a salary of between $75,000 and $100,000 a year, a salary larger than that of the President of the United States. He is George H. ("Babe") Ruth, the most famous present-day baseball professional in the United States, and he thus becomes the highest paid athlete in the world. Some years ago Ruth entered the ranks of first class baseball as a pitcher for the "Red Sox" of Boston. He was later transferred to the "Yankees" of New York, and it was discovered that he was a wonderful adept at hitting home runs; in the season of 1920 he hit 54 home runs and last year he increased the number to 59. By his new contract he will receive in addition to his huge salary the sum of $100 for each home run that he hits during the season. He has also the option of extending his contract for two years more. Ruth has refrained from signing his contract till this week though the training camps are now in full swing in the Southern State, and it is said that the owners of the "Yankees" finally gave in and accepted his terms. Both sides had held out so long that it was agreed to decide by a toss of the coin and Ruth won. @ 2.4 Mr. G. H. ("BABE") Ruth, the greatest baseball layer of all time and perhaps the bearer of the best known name in the United States, has died in New York at the age of 53, as briefly reported in our later editions yesterday. He was a formidable left-hand pitcher in major league clubs before he became the mighty hitter who scored 714 home runs, most of them during the 16 seasons that he played for the New York Yankees. No rival hitter in the American national game, has come near that record, nor has Ruth's 60 home runs in one season ever been equalled. He had riotously high spirits, which brought him frequently into conflict with authority, but on the baseball park he was a host in himself, and the place he occupied in baseball is comparable with that occupied by Dr. W. G. Grace in cricket. George Herman Gerhardt Ruth was brought up in a Roman Catholic orphanage near New York, and his career and character contain all the elements that make a national idol in the United States. He began his baseball career in 1914 as a left-handed pitcher with the Baltimore team, but in the same year was transferred to the Boston Red Sox. By the time he was transferred to the New York Yankees he was considered the best left-handed pitcher in the American League, but he was moved to the outfield when it was realized that his great strength would be of more service to his team than his ability as a pitcher. There-after his records kept statisticians busy for years. As early as 1920 he hit 54 home runs, and the next year he increased the number to 59. In 1922 he signed a contract with the New York Yankees for three years at a salary of between $75,000 and $100,000 to which a bonus of $100 was to be added for every home run hit. Thus he became the highest paid athlete in the world, whom the followers of the game affectionately dubbed "the Home-run King." It is estimated that he earned more than $1m. during his career. He retired in 1935, and a year ago he originated a foundation which assists and encourages the American young idea to play baseball. Last June he was engaged as consultant to the American Legion Junior Baseball Tournament by the Ford Motor Company, which sponsored the tournament. Though he had been in indifferent health for some time, he was able recently to attend the first showing of a film based on his career. The day of this performance - July 26 - was proclaimed by the Mayor of New York "Babe Ruth Day," and all Americans were invited to observe it "in honour of a beloved citizen."