40 games shorter? How do you figure that? Regular seasons were 152-154 games a year for a long while untli they expanded to 162 in 1961. Now, the playoffs have gotten longer but at most they are 12 games longer (5 divisional and 7 LCS).
The season was 154 games long when Ruth played. PLAYOFFS and WORLD SERIES numbers DO NOT COUNT on a players yearly totals or career numbers. Never have. NONE of Ruth's 714 were world series dingers, only regular season.
Check the "book". Rain outs and train travel==less games