Babe Ruth in the World Series, which began on September 5, the earliest date in history. The season had been shortened because the government had ruled that baseball players who were eligible for the military would have to be inducted or work in critical war industries, such as armaments plants. Ruth pitched and won Game One for the Red Sox, a 1–0 shutout. Before Game Four, Ruth injured his left hand in a fight; he pitched anyway. He gave up seven hits and six walks, but was helped by outstanding fielding behind him and by his own batting efforts, as a fourth-inning
The Babe Ruth Story crediting Babe Ruth for America's love of the sport. When the first choice for the lead role Jack Carson would not be released from Warner Bros., the producers chose Bendix. It was rushed to release after news of Ruth's declining health, and makes no mention whatsoever of Ruth's first wife, Helen. The film was released three weeks before Babe Ruth died. Some contemporary reviews were positive, with Bendix drawing accolades from a number of critics for his performance. "Variety" called the film "interesting, if semi-fictional," writing that it combined "warmth, tears and chuckles into a film that will sustain audience