Babe Ruth hit .393 in his 1923 American League MVP season. It was the highest batting average of his career and helped define one of the finest all-around seasons of his Yankees career.
Ruth collected 205 hits in 522 at-bats, while also hitting 41 home runs and driving in 131 runs. He led the American League in home runs, runs scored, and total bases, although Harry Heilmann won the batting title with a .403 average. Ruth’s .393 mark was therefore outstanding without being the league’s highest.
The season was especially memorable because the Yankees opened Yankee Stadium in 1923. Ruth hit the stadium’s first home run, and the Yankees went on to win their first World Series championship. He batted .368 in the Series and hit three home runs.
A common mix-up is confusing .393 with Ruth’s .342 career batting average or with Heilmann’s .403 league-leading mark from the same season.