On June 13, 1948, a monumental event in sports history took place at the Polo Grounds in New York City. It was on this day that the New York Yankees retired the iconic jersey number 3, which had been worn by the legendary Babe Ruth.

Babe Ruth, often referred to as "The Sultan of Swat" or "The Bambino," is widely considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. He began his Major League Baseball career as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in 1914 but later transitioned to playing the outfield, where he became a prolific slugger. Ruth's incredible hitting prowess and larger-than-life personality made him a household name and a symbol of the sport.

In 1920, Ruth was famously sold by the Red Sox to the New York Yankees, where he spent the majority of his career. As a Yankee, Ruth continued to rewrite the record books, setting numerous hitting records, including the all-time home run record, which stood for decades until it was broken by Hank Aaron in 1974.

Throughout his career, Ruth wore the number 3 on his jersey, and it became synonymous with his legendary status. On June 13, 1948, the Yankees officially retired Ruth's number in a pre-game ceremony, marking the first time a Major League Baseball team had ever retired a player's number. The ceremony was attended by Ruth himself, who had been battling cancer and was in failing health. Sadly, Ruth passed away just two months later on August 16, 1948.

The retirement of Babe Ruth's number 3 was a significant moment in sports history, as it set a precedent for honoring the greatest players in the game. Today, retiring jersey numbers is a common practice across various sports, and it remains one of the highest honors a team can bestow upon a player.

The legacy of Babe Ruth and the impact he had on baseball cannot be overstated. He revolutionized the game with his incredible hitting ability and helped to popularize the sport during the 1920s and 1930s. The retirement of his number 3 on June 13, 1948, serves as a testament to his enduring legacy and the indelible mark he left on the sport of baseball.