Babe Ruth won his only American League batting title in 1924. He hit .378 that season, narrowly finishing ahead of Detroit Tigers star Harry Heilmann, who batted .356.
The title was one of the rare occasions when Ruth led the league in batting average rather than simply overwhelming it with power. He also led the American League in home runs with 46, runs with 143, walks with 104, and slugging percentage with .739. His combination of average, power, and on-base ability made the season one of the finest offensive campaigns of the 1920s.
Ruth’s 1924 performance helped the Yankees remain competitive, but Washington finished first in the American League and won the pennant. The Yankees had been favored to win a fourth straight pennant, yet injuries and uneven team performance kept them from returning to the World Series.
A common mix-up is 1923, when Ruth won the league MVP award and helped the Yankees win their first World Series. His batting title came the following year, in 1924.