Pete Crow-Armstrong on Babe Ruth Conspiracy: ‘Awesome’
Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has found himself captivated by a truly outlandish sports conspiracy theory: the notion that baseball legend Babe Ruth may not have actually existed. Far from dismissing it, Crow-Armstrong finds the idea fascinating, even calling it “awesome” during a recent podcast appearance.
A Wild Theory Emerges
During an interview on Kristin Cavallari’s podcast, ‘Let’s Be Honest,’ Crow-Armstrong was prompted to share an unpopular opinion. Instead of offering a typical musing on food or everyday life, the young star delved into one of the more bizarre corners of baseball lore. He revealed his appreciation for the theory that Babe Ruth, widely considered one of the greatest players in baseball history, was perhaps a fabrication.
“This is gonna be crazy,” Crow-Armstrong shared on the podcast. “Babe Ruth never existed is one that I like.” He explained that he first encountered the theory from pitcher Tayler Saucedo, who plays for the Seattle Mariners. Saucedo, during a podcast interview, had apparently gone down a “rabbit hole” exploring the idea that Ruth was never real.
Crow-Armstrong elaborated on the logic, however flawed, behind such a theory. “We always talk about how the game is evolving, and people may as well have been underhanding the ball to that guy, and he’s regarded still as one of the best players ever. You might as well dive further into it and be like, well maybe he just never existed.” The sentiment suggests that given Ruth’s seemingly superhuman performance, especially when compared to the era’s pitching standards, questioning his very existence becomes a darkly humorous, albeit absurd, extension of his legendary status.
The Genesis of the Ruth Myth
The specific podcast interview with Saucedo, which Crow-Armstrong referenced, reportedly took place in early 2024. In it, Saucedo presented his rationale for the conspiracy: a perceived lack of extensive video footage of Ruth playing. Ruth’s career spanned from 1914 to 1935, a period long before television became commonplace and when film technology was still in its relative infancy. This historical context, while explaining the scarcity of modern-style video, is precisely what fuels the outlandish theory.
It’s crucial to understand that Crow-Armstrong isn’t presenting himself as a believer in this conspiracy. Rather, he expressed a distinct appreciation for its sheer audacity and the fact that it targets such an iconic figure in American sports. The idea of questioning the existence of someone as celebrated and documented as Babe Ruth is, to him, inherently interesting due to its outlandish nature.
Babe Ruth: A Legacy Beyond Doubt
Despite the existence of such peculiar theories, the historical record and the impact of George Herman “Babe” Ruth on baseball are undeniable. Ruth was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class in 1936. His career statistics remain staggering: he hit 714 home runs, a record that stood for decades, and drove in 2,214 runs.
His dominance extended to winning seven World Series championships during his career. He led the American League in home runs an astonishing 12 times, showcasing a level of consistent power that was unprecedented. Beyond the numbers, Ruth revolutionized the game, transforming it from a strategic, low-scoring affair into a more exciting, power-hitting spectacle that captivated audiences.
