Sports History On This Day: July 18

July 18, 1921 – Babe Ruth smacked a ball fair 560 feet for his 139th career home run against the Detroit Tigers. Tiger pitcher Bert Cole served up the ball to the Bambino who launched it over the deepest portion of the fence at Navin Field.

It was a significant hit indeed as with this 36 HR of the season for Ruth, he became the all-time home run leader in Major League Baseball, taking the title from Roger Connor whose 138 wall clearers stood as the mark since 1897. It was also by far the longest shot Babe Ruth had hit to that point in his MLB career.

The Yankees prevailed in the game 10-1. They would go on to take the AL pennant that year but lost the World Series to the New York Giants.