On January 5, 1920, the New York Yankees announced the purchase of Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox, a deal that transformed baseball, launched a dynasty, and altered the sport’s history forever.
On January 5, 1920, the New York Yankees announced the purchase of outfielder George Herman “Babe” Ruth from the Boston Red Sox for $125,000 in cash, along with additional loans to Red Sox owner Harry Frazee. The transaction sent shockwaves through Major League Baseball and marked one of the most consequential moves in sports history.
Source: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Before joining the Yankees, Ruth had already established himself as baseball’s biggest star. During six seasons with the Red Sox, he helped lead the franchise to three World Series championships and set a World Series record by pitching 29 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings, a mark that stood for more than four decades.
Ruth was coming off a historic 1919 season, breaking the major league home run record with 29 home runs, while also leading the American League in runs batted in with 114 and runs scored with 103. In addition to playing over 100 games in left field, he also posted a 9–5 record as a pitcher, showcasing his unmatched versatility.
Source: MLB.com
Despite Ruth’s dominance, Boston finished 66–71 in 1919, placing sixth in the American League. New ownership soon took control, and owner Harry Frazee made the controversial decision to sell Ruth. Reports later revealed that Frazee used much of the money and loan backing to support his Broadway theater productions.
At the time of the sale, Ruth was earning $10,000 per year and had demanded a raise. The Yankees agreed to renegotiate his contract, signaling their willingness to build the franchise around him.
Source: MLB.com
The impact of the deal echoed through baseball for decades. The Yankees went on to win 39 American League pennants and 26 World Series titles throughout the 20th century, while the Red Sox endured an 86-year championship drought, a stretch that became known as the “Curse of the Bambino.” That curse was finally broken in 2004, when Boston staged a dramatic comeback against the Yankees in the AL Championship Series and won its first World Series since 1918.
January 5, 1920, stands as one of the most important dates in sports history. What began as a financial decision became the foundation of a dynasty, elevated baseball’s popularity, and forever linked two franchises through one of the greatest trades ever made.
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