Claire Merritt Ruth

Claire Merritt Hodgson Ruth (born Clara Mae Merritt; September 11, 1900[1] – October 25, 1976) was a native of Athens, Georgia, United States, who is most famous for having been the second wife of Babe Ruth.

In later years, she indicated her responsibility, in part, for the poor relationship between her husband and teammate Lou Gehrig.

Later, Ruth admitted that she had overreacted, apologetically accepting full responsibility for the rift between the two players which, however, had numerous other causes besides the one indicated by Hodgson.

Ruth was quoted as saying: "The Babe loved baseball so very much; I know he was pulling for Hank Aaron to break his record.

Ruth is buried next to her husband at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York.