The native of Pisgah, Iowa, was signed by the New York Yankees in 1945 and was a longtime player and manager in the Bombers' minor league organization.

He batted left-handed, threw right-handed, stood 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall and weighed 180 pounds (82 kg).

In 1983, while scouting for the Chicago White Sox, Babe was diagnosed with colon cancer.

At the time, he needed 57 days of Major League service to become a vested member of the players' pension plan, which also provides health benefits.

At the same time the White Sox had another coach, batting instructor Charley Lau, who was battling colon cancer.