What kind of physical shape was Babe Ruth in when he played Major League Baseball?

Answer 1

Babe Ruth was a large man for the times in Baseball. He was 6'2" and 190 pounds when he started his MLB career in 1914. He was a voracious eater and his weight would fluctuate constantly. Most off seasons his weight would go up (in 1925 it was reported he weighed 256 pounds) and then come spring training he would over exert himself to take the excess pounds off. Once he turned 25 his weight was rarely below 220. He was an avid cigar smoker. By today's standards it would be fair to say that Ruth was in less than ideal physical condition during his playing years.