After a storied career spent primarily with the New York Yankees, Babe Ruth made his coaching debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on June 19, 1938. He was hired by Dodgers executive vice president Larry MacPhail to coach first base and hopefully light a spark for the team.
The Dodgers were 22-31 when Ruth signed his contract on June 18 of that year, and struggled to draw fans in a competitive market that included the Yankees and Giants. Ruth had largely remained out of the public spotlight upon retiring after the 1935 season.
He had visions of becoming manager of the Yankees but was passed over as player-manager in favor of Joe McCarthy ahead of the 1931 season.