George Moses Jr., age 11, of Hattesburg, miss., for his question:

WAS BABE RUTH HIS REAL NAME?

Babe Ruth was one of the most phenomenally gifted and popular players in the history of baseball. Born in Baltimore, Md., in 1895, his real name was George Herman Ruth, although everyone called him Babe.

Ruth started his professional baseball career in 1914 as a left handed pitcher for the Baltimore team of the International League. Later in the same year he played for the Providence team of the International League and then became a member of the Boston Red Sox.

Ruth pitched for Boston until the 1919 season, when his unusual ability as a batter and fielder caused the Boston management to make him an outfielder.

From 1920 to 1935 he played the outfield for the New York Yankees. In 1935 he became vice president of the Boston Braves and played a number of games as an outfielder. Three years later he was a coach for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Ruth was one of the best left handed pitchers baseball has ever known. He was also an outstanding outfielder and one of baseball's greatest home run hitters.