Final answer:
Babe Ruth was alive from 1895 to 1948, and was known as the greatest hitter in baseball history. Ruth's career transcended pitching to becoming a cultural icon with the Yankees. Josh Gibson, compared to Ruth, also had a notable career in baseball hindered by racial barriers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The timeline in which Babe Ruth, arguably the greatest hitter in Major League Baseball, was alive spanned from February 6, 1895, to August 16, 1948. Beginning his career as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, he transitioned to a hitter after a controversial trade to the New York Yankees.
Ruth became a cultural icon known for his legendary swing and fast lifestyle that reflected the excesses of the 1920s. Similarly, Josh Gibson, known as the "black Babe Ruth," also made a significant impact on baseball and had impressive career statistics despite being excluded from the Major Leagues due to racial segregation policies.