Babe Ruth previously a star pitcher with a 25–4 win–loss record for Detroit in 1907; in later years, he credited Donovan with teaching him much about pitching. Ruth was often called upon to pitch, in one stretch starting (and winning) four games in eight days. On September 5 at Maple Leaf Park in Toronto, Ruth pitched a one-hit 9–0 victory, and hit his first professional home run, his only one as a minor leaguer, off Ellis Johnson. Recalled to Boston after Providence finished the season in first place, he pitched and won a game for the Red Sox against the New York
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