What was Babe Ruth‘s Favorite Bat? A Deep Dive into the Legendary Slugger‘s Signature "40 oz Extra" Louisville Slugger

Hey there, friend! Have you ever wondered about Babe Ruth‘s iconic bat that he used to smash all those magnificent home runs? Well, as a baseball history buff, I‘m here to give you an in-depth look at Ruth‘s favorite piece of "lumber" – the legendary Louisville Slugger "40 oz Extra."

Ruth‘s Unmatched Baseball Prowess

Before we dig into the specs of his signature bat, let‘s set the stage by looking at why Babe Ruth is considered by many to be the greatest baseball player ever.

Ruth had a 22-year career from 1914 to 1935 playing for the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. He was one of the most dominant players who transformed baseball into a true "power" sport. Just look at some of Ruth‘s awe-inspiring stats:

• 714 career home runs
• .690 career slugging percentage
• 2,213 runs batted in (RBI)
• 2,062 walks
• 12 seasons with 40+ home runs
• 4 seasons leading the league in batting average
• 7 World Series championships

Ruth was renowned for his tape measure blasts that regularly smashed outfield fences. He set new single season home run records 4 separate times over his career. His peak was an unfathomable 60 home runs in 1927, which was more than every other American League team total that season!

So in short, the guy was an absolute beast at the plate. But what allowed him to consistently hit bombs year after year? Let‘s take a closer look at his weapon of choice…

The Story Behind Ruth‘s "40 oz Extra" Bat

Ruth‘s favorite bat was a specially ordered Louisville Slugger model that he affectionately called the "40 oz Extra." This enormous, heavy bat reportedly weighed in at a whopping 40-48 ounces.

To give you an idea of how huge that is, today‘s typical MLB bat weighs around 31-35 ounces. Even back in Ruth‘s day, most players used bats weighing just 36 ounces or so – making his a true lumberjack club!

The bat measured 35 inches long and was made from premium hickory wood, giving it a dense feel and amazing durability. The massive barrel provided Ruth with exceptional plate coverage to mash any pitch.

While most hitters opt for lighter bats to generate bat speed, Ruth went the opposite route and ordered the heaviest bat possible from Louisville Slugger. Why did he prefer such a seemingly unorthodox piece of equipment? Let‘s break it down…

Advantages Ruth Had With a Heavy Bat

Swinging a 40+ ounce bat provided Ruth with some key hitting advantages:

Increased Power

• The heavy weight allowed Ruth to muscle balls with force and drive them on a line over fences.

• Extra momentum from the weight made it easier to hit tape-measure shots.

Consistency

• The bat minimized Ruth having to adjust his grip during swings.

• He could maintain ideal hitting mechanics and form throughout the at-bat.

Durability

• Made from dense hickory wood, the bat was built to withstand Ruth‘s mighty hacks.

• Ruth could swing 100% without worrying about cracking or breaking it.

Strength and Endurance

• Regular use of the heavy bat increased Ruth‘s muscular strength over time.

• This allowed Ruth to maintain his power deep into games when fatigue sets in.

Better Control

• Ruth could deliberately swing easy for contact or dial up his power.

• The weight distribution gave him excellent control over hitting trajectory.

In short, this "40 oz Extra" bat was perfectly suited for Ruth to maximize his talents as a power hitter. It allowed him to smash pitches exactly where he wanted across all fields.

How Ruth‘s Bat Compared to Other Players

To provide more context around Ruth‘s bat, let‘s see how it measured up to some of his fellow players:

As you can see, Ruth‘s bat was considerably heavier than bats used by speedsters like Ty Cobb. However, other power hitters like Shoeless Joe Jackson would also swing 40 oz clubs.

While heavy bats weren‘t uncommon, Ruth was certainly on the upper end of the scale. Later in his career, eyewitnesses claimed to have seen him swing outrageous bats weighing up to 54-56 oz!

Bat Technology Evolution from Ruth‘s Era

It‘s also fascinating to see how bat technology has evolved since Ruth‘s heyday in the early 20th century:

1900s-1930s

• Most bats made from dense hickory or ash wood.

• Model names like "Wagon Tongue" based on shape.

• Heavier bats around 38-48 oz preferred.

1970s

• Introduction of first aluminum and composite bats.

• Manufacturing improvements for lighter feel.

• Average weight drops to 31-34 oz range.

Today

• Advanced carbon materials and precision engineering.

• Ultra-thin handles for quicker swing speed.

• Emphasis on "custom fit" for each hitter.

While Babe certainly hit some majestic blasts with his hickory wood bat, I‘d love to see what kind of damage he could do with some of today‘s technologically-advanced rocket launchers!

Ruth‘s Bat Corking – Myth or Reality?

There‘s an enduring rumor that Ruth and other players secretly "corked" their bats to hit the ball further. This illegal tactic involves hollowing out the center of the barrel and inserting cork to make the bat lighter.

However, there is no definitive proof that Ruth ever corked his bats. He didn‘t need to resort to cheating – his natural strength and talent were more than enough! Ruth set records and hit tape-measure homers using nothing but his athletic abilities and smart equipment choices like his trusted "40 oz Extra."

Corking or otherwise doctoring bats is also extremely hazardous. An altered bat can shatter on contact and send debris flying towards other players, umpires, or fans. So while the lore around corked bats persists, players today know it‘s absolutely not worth the risk.

Ruth‘s Bat Legacy as the Game‘s Ultimate Power Symbol

While it‘s impossible to objectively label any one bat the "greatest" ever, Ruth‘s customized "40 oz Extra" is certainly an iconic part of baseball history. The image of Ruth pointing his Louisville Slugger towards center field before crushing a soaring moonshot is etched in the memories of so many fans.

For me, that big hickory bat symbolizes the emergence of baseball as a true power sport. It represents Ruth‘s complete transformation of the game with his legendary clout and the awe he induced with every thundering swing. While I love watching today‘s lightning-fast aluminum bats at work, there‘s something nostalgic and special about those old-school wood clubs.

So there you have it, my friend! Hopefully this deep dive gives you a fuller picture of the Sultan of Swat‘s legendary lumber that sent balls flying into orbit. Thanks for letting me ramble about one of my favorite bats and players of all time. Let me know if you have any other baseball history topics I can research – I love geeking out over this stuff!