Babe Ruth—no, not that Babe Ruth, the Yankee slugger who changed baseball forever—but a Tennessee man who happens to share his name, has been arrested in a wide-ranging fraud scheme tied to Major League Baseball.
According to NBC News, federal prosecutors say George Herman Ruth, a 69-year-old from Morristown, is facing a 91-count indictment for allegedly stealing the identities of more than two dozen retired or deceased players to collect money from class action settlements.
Charges include mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, money laundering, and fraudulent use of Social Security numbers.
The indictment alleges that Ruth initiated the scheme in early 2023, filing claims under the names of at least 25 former professional baseball players. He then used the settlement payouts to cover personal expenses, including trips to Las Vegas and casinos in Virginia and North Carolina.
According to prosecutors, Ruth collected at least five separate checks of $756.84 each from one settlement alone—a case involving alleged racial discrimination at a Chicago-area staffing agency and beauty supply company.
While the names of the players whose identities were used have not been formally released, the indictment provides clues resembling the structure of the online trivia game “Immaculate Grid.”
For instance, one entry describes a retired first baseman who played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins, and New York Mets. Another reference points to a late 19th-century shortstop who once took the field for the Chicago Colts, Brooklyn Superbas, New York Giants, and Boston Doves—franchises that evolved into today’s Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, and Braves.
The original Babe Ruth, of course—born George Herman Ruth in 1895 and known worldwide as the “Sultan of Swat”—remains one of the most famous figures in American sports history. His namesake, however, is accused of using that legendary identity as a cover for a modern financial scam.
Ruth has not publicly commented on the charges, and attempts to reach his defense attorney were unsuccessful. If convicted, he faces the possibility of significant prison time.