Was Babe Ruth Passing for White? 

Does it really matter what nationally he was? He was and is a legend!

I'm 67 years old and I remember some people being upset that Hank Aaron encroaching on Babe Ruth's home run record. If it is true that Babe Ruth had a mixed race background, that would be the epitome of irony. 😊

I’m 63. Years ago, they tried to “accuse” singer Dinah Shore of being black in order to hurt her career. Shore came forward and made a statement. She said she was not black but would be proud if she was indeed black or had black heritage. After that, no one said a word. She silenced her haters by showing they could not shame her.

Anyone who minimizes this doesn't understand what race relations mean to America's identity. You just made my day! If true, the truth is so much more provocative than fiction.

Many Black people knew this but its fascinating how the internet is undefeated and now some whites know this. Great video.

He looks a lot like my grandfather, who could pass for white. He chose not to despite being born in 1905. Living through the same period as Babe Ruth.

When I was growing up in the 70's, my mom talked about 'Babe Ruth', and how she always thought he was black or African American, because of his features and athletic skills. Fast forward, I saw a documentary about his life a few years ago, and in the documentary, it was said, that allegedly his father was black, also The Babe, would frequent black brothels, when traveling from city to city, he loved 'Soul Food' and that he would give money to a lot of black orphanages. He had no problems with socializing with the black community. I believe The Babe, was so called African American. But whether he was or wasn't he was one of the greatest baseball players of all time and had a genuine love for his fans of all races.

When I was in Harbor Fields high school in Long Island New York around 1974 when Hank Arron Broke Baby Ruth’s Home Run record I had a racist teacher name Mr Hall he was so upset about Baby Ruth’s record being broken by a black man that he had the valedictorian of the high school come to our class and statistically try to break down why Babe Ruth was better than Hank Aaron! Well Mr Hall where ever you are I hope you watch and read this! Cause I’m loving it! I cut his class for the rest of the semester, and he never even reported it! This is so sweet! Thank You!

This is the first time i ever heard anything about Babe Ruth being biracial.

It's hard to fully imagine this world that's not too long ago. It seems like not only being black was a problem but making sure you don't look black or associate with blacks was important too.

This is mind blowing. I have a friend who is a young man. His father is Black and his mother is white. But I had not known his father was black when I met him, when he was then 8 years old. He had curly blonde hair, but a round face and a wide nose similar to Babe Ruth. I thought he was a sweet white kid and nothing more. I am a black woman. Years later after he was in his 20s he revealed to me that he was African American and had a hard time in college when he tried to talk about racism and a white person told him he had no right to talk about African Americans. He said, "my dad is black." But he said everyone in his college class didn't believe him, and were mad that he kept insisting he was African American. Imagine that, even now "passing" is an issue. This young man is proud of who he is. He is half black, half white, just like my children. But everyone calls my kids black, and they call him white, based on appearance.

I always thought he was black. My aunt always said, ‘we know our own’.

This is a GREAT conversation (I am big a Babe Ruth, and NY Yankees, fan), VERY interesting, I had never pondered upon the thought of his ancestry prior to your videos (And I had NO IDEA (genuinely) that he had hung out in Harlem, NY, The Cotton Club, and dated black women regularly ("Extremely" eye-opening). Thank you for sharing.

My Japanese spouse, a baseball fan who was not aware of the timeline of integration in Major League Baseball, just told me that she always assumed that Babe Ruth was Black. I honestly have never heard any of this and it is fascinating. Thank you!

Babe had two adopted daughters. He didn't have any biological children. However, he had two brothers and five sisters.

Thanks for posting it, I appreciate it🌺

I could watch your channel all day! Wonderful content. I'm a histoty nut, and ancestry is my passion. I absolutely love it.

The way they treated him after baseball, may proved that they thought he was black. They treated him horribly, they wouldn’t even allow him to coach in baseball..

I was born in Baltimore, City 1955. As a kid the story goes in 1905, Babe Ruth, 10 years old, called the "Bambino" played stickball on 216 Emory street in Baltimore City, with some of those same black fans in the stadium photos. Sicilian, Italian.

I watched 3 videos. Great Channel! Almost at 100k!! Awesome.

OMG! I came across your channel very interesting and a great job

J. Edgar Hoover was another. There were many people in history who were mixed race.

In fact my grandfather taught me he was , but he wasn’t gonna make it so he had too . Mind you we’re from Louisiana, those old ppl knew who was passing

The stories about Ty Cobb being Racist are known. The thing is that there have been MANY mixed Race people in Michigan and in the Detroit area for at least 200 years or more. It is not surprising that Ruth had some Black roots. But going by the hair, there had to be some Native American ancestry as well. In Ruth's case, he was a pioneer. He was one of a few who beat the system of segregation. There were several others. George Herriman, Creator of KRAZY KAT was the first Black American Cartoonist over 100 years ago.

Great analysis Sis 👌.

I've heard about this and many people have said Babe Ruth looks kinda like a lighter skinned Muhammed Ali in certain pictures

I am so glad that you posted this video. When I saw the notification I immediately clicked because about 20 years ago eyewitness news, before the commercial break said, "when we come back, was Babe Ruth really black? See the story when we come back!" And I waited until the very end and they never even mentioned his name again. My family and I were talking amongst each other and we figured that they probably caught a lot of flack from certain segments of the public. Thanks for covering this!

Great JOB, keep Up The Awesome Work!!!

He looked way blacker than Homer Plessy. Racial identity is fascinating.

Danielle , I have never followed sports very closely , but think about this irony ---- when Hank Aaron was getting close to overtaking Babe Ruth in homeruns , Hank got alot of hate-mail and also death-threats because he was going to break a "White mans " record !!

I thought my eyes were open before, man you blew my mind, something that's rare for me. Subscribed!

Thanks for the deep dive.

That one drop of Black blood was the rule.

It the 1930s Babe went on a world tour playing exhibition games. When he visited Hilo, Territory of Hawaii (not a state yet!) he played an exhibition game with my grandfather who was captain of one of the city teams. I still have the pics from the local paper with both of them posing for the camera.

Great job on this!

Thank you for this video

Wow I never knew this… But he does look black!

Danielle keep doing this important job. As you can see this country needs more conversation.

I'm 55. In the 90s my father told me Babe Ruth was black. I didn't believe him, as was my pattern with my father. He passed away in 2007 and so much of what he used to tell me is resurfacing in my life. He would have watched this video and felt somewhat vindicated. In the 90s, he pretty much was the only one saying Babe Ruth was black in our circle. My father must have heard talk about Babe Ruth in Harlem, where we are from. I wish I would have valued his perspective. My father was such a treasure. Awesome video. Thanks for sharing it.

This is a very interesting topic, and thanks for providing the content. In the last few years, I've been digging deep into some of the hidden or forgotten Black history. I have to be honest: I didn't realize how much history was, and still isn't, told. Sure, the past is gone but, I refuse to neglect my due diligence in learning the history of my ancestors who suffered so much.

We were not considered "white" Eastern Europeans, Northern Europeans, Italians, Turks, Greeks.

I can remember my father (a Black man) always saying Babe Ruth was black (in the 60's)... and I didn't believe it, at the time. He also said the same about Carol Channing, Hoover and Clark Gable... and he was right about them.

Great video I never heard about this rumor before. ❤❤❤

You have a new subscriber.. beautiful voice.. not boring.. keep up the great work

Babe’s mom was German and Irish but, especially as you get go further south, there was not “inter-marriage “ but there were affairs and other relationships

I've heard these rumors about Babe Ruth ever since I was a kid.

If he was, he wasn't the first and won't be the last. That's how great America has always been and continues to be.

Nicely done, thank you for expounding this story.

You are getting better and better every episode NYTN!

Ty Cobb talking smack against the guy who stole his thunder shouldn't be a surprise.

I don't know how this video ended up on my YT, but this was a great video, very informative, and she is gorgeous!!

Brains and beauty, you are amazing! Northeast Ohio thanks you.🥰

My mother’s patriarchal side of my family, they were from Tsenacommah (Virginia), the tidewater area, and eastern Tanasi (Tennessee), or Appalachia. They were labeled mulatto and even earlier free white persons, they were white passing, but not European, even down to my grandfather, and my mother. We are very light skinned people even today. I still get asked frequently, what am I, mixed or biracial. I usually answer, I’m quadroon.

I have a buddy who looks exactly like Babe Ruth and his parents look very German and Polish. I know a number of polish and German folks with wider noses and full lips.

Loving the academic reflection on this. Thanks!

I’ve never heard of this, thanks for sharing!

Your historical content has much value. Thank you for sharing your research findings.

Somebody finally said it out loud. When I was a little kid, I thought he was Black or Italian 🤷🏽‍♀️.

I like your videos and channel ❤

Fascinating. Thanks for sharing this research.

This is really interesting. I'm a history guy and a big sports guy. I have studied race quite a bit, so I'm really surprised I never knew this. I just remember hearing how upset people were when Hank Aaron was "breaking a white man's record." He certainly looks like he could be black, so I could totally see this being the case. Crazy!

I am a biracial woman who married a biracial guy and had children who are multi generationally mixed. Babe Ruth looks the same way. My youngest son does… completely ambiguous. Where if you know you know, but if you don’t know, you never will until you find out. Lol

EXCELLENT VIDEO

EXCELLENT VIDEO AND RESEARCH ❤️. I'm convinced! We hsve to test Babe Ruth's children.

I never thought Babe Ruth was white! He doesn't even look white...in any of his pictures!

These kind of difficult/surprising revelations are the reason I love this channel. I admire how you bravely state the "quiet parts" out loud. 💖 I don't follow sports, but am aware of the name Babe Ruth. Looking at his pictures, I see a fair-skinned Black man. I too was fascinated that those who were children in that era knew that he was Black and were shocked to hear that he was not(?) 😲🤔 Both he and Hoover were household names and I never thought about their race. I see Black men when I look at them and it is sad that they were not able to show their true selves during the eras in which they lived.

Great great report... u jave a subscriber!!

I love your videos

Wow. I wasn't aware of any of the "suspension " or speculation about Ruth's ethnicity. I'm an American citizen who is Black, and I'm 60 years old, but thus is the first time that this has been brought to my attention. A

A lot of Black southerners from Alabama moved to Baltimore back in those days!!!! They named a chocolate candy bar after him!!!!!! That says it all for me!! They could have named the candy bar PayDay after him but they didn't! They named a chocolate bar after him😂😂This was their inside joke!! This is really hurting white people!! They probably hate him now😂😂

Great video…you have a new subscriber

If he was mixed race, it is a uniquely American story all too common. Our hero’s are our heros. We love them and their accomplishments. Period. Great vid. Subbed.

My white (ginger) wife has a very similar same nose. People don’t always fit into neat little boxes.

I heard that there was a Negro League player who had over 800 HRs in his career. I can't remember who, but if Babe Ruth was identified as black and couldn't play in the Majors, he would definitely tear up the Negro League. They kept the brothers out because we were just too good. They couldn't compete. Even Willie Mays, who was a former Negro League player, managed to become one of the all-time greats in the MLB. He's right up there with Ruth, Bonds and Aaron as one of the best who ever played.

Shalom beautiful woman of substance and many blessings to you and to your beautiful families. I have seen some of your content and I found it to be moving and heartfelt. I commend you for being so integral and compassionate when approaching subjects that deserve address. After listening to this video about Babe Ruth, I am continuing to see another level of ignorance every time I am exposed to experiences that are surrounded by racism and hate. What I mean by that is this: The very people who made it their business to demonstrate hatred and disdain towards people of black descent and for others who come from other walks of life, do not realize how much the spirit of ignorance had a hand in their lives. Now within this particular realm of influence (sports) they did everything in their power to keep this confined to only those who were of white descent correct? And they did all of that not knowing they were hosting the gift and talent of someone who carries a name that is of Hebrew descent. The name Ruth is of Hebrew origin. And back then and even today those of Hebrew and Jewish descent were and are targeted by those who embrace hatred and racism. So I wonder if those of white descent would have still embraced the gift and talent of Babe Ruth if they knew he had ties to a Hebrew heritage. They did everything in their power to keep people out of this sport whom they hated, and because of ignorance's presence in hatred and racism they didn't realize that they had a soul in their midst who was able to undermine the very ignorance they were operating from. Ignorance will make a fool out of those who embrace it. It will dress up practices and beliefs with false images of self importance and self worship while leading such souls down paths that look promising, but in reality are carrying demises and detriments that will humiliate, shame, and embarrass those who are foolish enough to eat from its (ignorance's) table. GOD Bless you beautiful woman of substance. And thank you for allowing me to share this. Shalom unto you and to your beautiful families.

I skimmed your videos on you page to get a quick idea of what your content is about. I find it funny after I commented on a SNL skit that “white ppl will say they have Italian in their blood to excuse any black looking features” then suddenly I get recommend your channel lol.

My uncle, that raised me, grew up in the same time period as Babe Ruth and looked almost identical to him. I often thought that my uncle probably had a black ancestor, but I haven’t done the research to verify if it may be true or not. On the other hand though, I went to the same church as Ty Cobb nephew (who recently passed away). That family lived and grew up in Georgie, right next to S.C., where I live. During that era, things were a lot different, especially here in the South. The schools were segregated and blacks lived on one side of the railroad tracks and whites on the other side, with little but some interaction.

It’s definitely possible. I’m a “black” man and I have relatives, a great-great uncle who passed as a “white” man and went on to become a judge and married a “white” woman in order, I’m sure, to further distant himself and any children from his “black” heritage. Even to this day, his grandchildren acknowledge that we’re related privately, but not in public.

Not a baseball fan, but your video is as fascinating as it is Culturally relevant, perhaps even more so TODAY. Great work. 👍🏽🇺🇸🗿

Life is so weird. Today was my first day at work at Yankee Stadium. I was just looking at his banner in the lobby. The house that Babe built. Then your video pops up on my phone.

I'm 73 and growing up most people knew Ruth was passing for white but didn't care, he was an icon.

In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, people of color were exiled from Europe. The Moors, sephardic jews, Jacobites, etc... it's possible that Ruth, being of German descent, has people of color in his ancestry. Benjamin Franklin, in his essay, "Concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, etc.", described the Germans as tawny (dark), and was concerned about the quantity of Germans in Pennsylvania. I have seen run-a-way ads from the 18th that describe some runaway indentured servants as "black" and "speaks with the getman tongue". So, was he black by the one drop rule? Possibly. Just because his parents look white, doesnt mean anything. Traits skip generations, and not necessarily his father's biological child.

Carol Channing waited til her 80s to come out as black.

Thank you for the video 📹 it's showing that we as Americans cannot get over our heritage no matter what racial status is in the U.S.A. 😮.

I actually viewed yesterday, but forgot to leave comments. This blew my mind. As I was viewing the pictures on your video, I did notice that his skin tone tan. Now it could be that he got a great deal of sun growing up and it is what it is, but it did strike me as odd. I have to admit that the pictures I've seen of him as a child, did appear to show darker skin as well, but I put it down to grainy photos of the times. I've never heard about his friendships or relationship with Black people; I'm so apologetic because I assumed that he of the times and didn't care for Black people or wanted them to play in the major leagues. Now, I'm going to research him because I'm fascinated about why a White man who cross the color line to be friends with Blacks during those times, even with the speculation about him---he didn't stop. Also if he did have African heritage, what another interesting story for the history books.I wish Oi had known of this because I've players from the Negro leagues and I would have asked them what they thought. This video has blown my mind! Thank you for doing it.

My grandfather always said this. Many old heads have said this. I can definitely see it too.

Just found your channel and it seems pretty cool. Welcome to TN. Hopefully you're near Knoxville cause the rest of the state is crazy, lol.

I didn't know about Babe Ruth, but I see African Ancestry in the photos. I did know about Dinah Shore. My mother had older friends that knew people in her family.

Never heard this before, but when you said it, I realized how it might be true. Our family has a myriad of shades. I am African American, but I know other people have made the choice. I am so proud of you. This is a wonderful channel for really getting to the heart of truth and reconciliation.

I knew his sister and she looked completely white, which she was. I really don't believe they were "passing".

I had my dna done, and found I was whiter than white. Heritage from Germany and Scotland only. But my nose is fairly broad. My ex was from Armenian and Italian, only. His, his Italian mother’s and maternal grandmother’s even had even broader noses and fuller lips. My daughter looks like the palest bi-racial. But there’s no African, not even one cell, in either of us. People always saying we look mixed. It’s insane to think one can judge heritage in looks alone. But, being racist is being insane.

My LOVING history, ESPECIALLY black history, I really enjoy your channel, it was/is very informative. Thank you.

Ruth said the most hurtful thing to him was fans referring to him as a n....r.

Great story! I’m 60 years old and remember hearing about this. I had lots of older relatives who DID pass for white. People don’t understand that color DID matter back in those days. We take such a casual attitude about color today but segregated wasn’t that long ago. It made a difference whether your family ate or not.

Have you read the book "Passing" by Nella Larson? I read it in college. If I remember correctly it was written during the Harlem Renaissance and is somewhat biographical. As the title suggest, it is about passing and the danger surrounding that life.

I have a family member with dark coloring, curly hair, and very full lips. But I've seen her DNA, she's Scottish and English like the rest of the family. 😅 Very interesting, I never heard any controversy about Babe Ruth!

I was waiting on this video

Just starting the video because of the title. I have ALWAYS thought this was a possibility.

I agree! Clark Gable, & Carol Channel, had the same circumstances!

I'm from Cincinnati, love baseball, and personally heard Reds team members back in the 1960a and 1970s speak of Babe Ruth's family tree having "a touch of the tar brush". I knew what that meant because the same thing was said of some of the Italian, Português, and Spanish families that lived nearby. I think it was because in the Summer their skin got as dark as mine.