Babe Ruth (1895-1948) stands as one of America’s most iconic figures because he transformed baseball into a national spectacle while embodying the country’s spirit of possibility. Rising from a difficult childhood to become the Sultan of Swat, Ruth revolutionized the sport with his unprecedented home-run power and helped shift baseball from the strategic “dead-ball” era to an electrifying, offense-driven game that captivated millions. His charisma, larger-than-life personality, and record-breaking achievements made him the first true modern celebrity athlete.