Controversial MLB All-Star Says 'Babe Ruth Never Existed'

Pete Crow-Armstrong, a Chicago Cubs outfielder and Major League Baseball All-Star, sparked controversy after suggesting during a recent podcast appearance that Babe Ruth, one of baseball’s most iconic figures, may never have existed. The comment came during an episode of Kristin Cavallari’s show Let’s Be Honest, where Crow-Armstrong, along with teammate Carson Kelly, discussed controversial opinions. When asked for an unpopular take, Crow-Armstrong chose to propose that Babe Ruth was a myth rather than a historical figure. The idea initially seemed far-fetched, prompting Crow-Armstrong to preface his statement with, “this is gonna be crazy.” He claimed to have heard similar theories from a Seattle Mariners pitcher named Tayler Saucedo, who had previously suggested that Babe Ruth’s existence could be questionable due to the scarcity of video evidence from his era. Crow-Armstrong expanded on this notion, arguing that if the game has evolved significantly over the decades, it would be reasonable to question whether Ruth, whose career spanned the early 20th century, actually played the sport as described. Crow-Armstrong’s reasoning was rooted in modern perspectives on how the game has changed. He noted that even though Ruth is often depicted as a towering figure in baseball history, the rules and techniques of the game have undergone substantial transformations. By applying contemporary logic to historical context, he argued that it might be possible that Ruth’s legacy was built upon assumptions rather than verifiable records. However, the suggestion was met with skepticism, particularly from his teammate Carson Kelly, who found the claim absurd. During the conversation, Kelly laughed off the idea, calling it “crazy.” The discussion briefly touched on comparisons to moon landing conspiracy theories, but the conversation soon moved on. There was no response from Babe Ruth himself, as the Hall of Famer passed away in 1948. The remarks drew immediate backlash, especially given Crow-Armstrong’s prior comments about Los Angeles Dodgers fans. Earlier this season, while playing in Los Angeles, he had made disparaging remarks toward Dodgers supporters, leading to public criticism. In a subsequent interview with Los Angeles Times writer Maddie Lee, Crow-Armstrong attempted to clarify his stance, saying, “If we’re going to be immature and childish about it, I’d say they started it, they just gave me an opportunity to kind of run with it.” Despite the backlash, Crow-Armstrong’s comments continue to generate debate within baseball circles. While some view the remarks as a provocative attempt to engage with fans, others see them as a troubling disregard for historical accuracy. As the offseason progresses, it remains unclear whether Crow-Armstrong will address the controversy further or if the issue will fade into the background. For now, the focus remains on the broader implications of questioning foundational elements of baseball history.