Babe Ruth and the Creation of the Celebrity Athlete

The narrative highlights Babe Ruth's early recognition of the financial potential of his celebrity status, beginning with his 1915 venture into branding with Babe Ruth Cigars. After being traded to the Yankees in 1920, he partnered with Christy Walsh, the first publicity agent in baseball, showcasing Ruth's strategic approach to leveraging his fame for profit and setting a precedent for athlete branding in sports.