In the 5th inning of game 3 of the 1932 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees, Babe Ruth hit his final post season home run for the New York Yankees. It was his 50th home run in 41 post season games for the Bronx Bombers. This was arguably his most memorable home run because of the context of the home run and the debate that ensued.
Ruth hit the home run to center field. Prior to the pitch, legend has it that Ruth pointed to where he would hit the home run. There is no question that Ruth pointed with his right hand before he hit the home run. Pictures confirm that Ruth extended his right hand and pointed towards something. However, people debate whether he predicted a home run to center field or if he was pointing to the Cubs' fans to remind them that he had only two strikes.
Baseball writer Donald Honig described the scene. Honig said "The yelling from the Cubs dugout was positively sulfurous as well as from the fans. They were in on this. This was a Chicago crowd. And they were throwing things and yelling. Ruth was standing in the batters box, yelling back at them between pitches." So, the Chicago crowd created a hostile environment for Ruth. The Cubs' players in the dugout also heckled Ruth. Likewise, Ruth yelled back at them.
After a couple of strikes were called on Ruth, the fans continued to jeer him. Honig said "The volume coming from the stands was so loud that some of the Cubs players were coming out of the dugout and cupping their hands around their mouth to make sure that Ruth heard them. Then he makes his his famous gesture." So, the taunting and the jeering increased with each strike. This increased heckling added to the drama and excitement of the at bat.
Babe Ruth described the situation in the following way. Ruth said "Ill never forget it. It was a tough series. Both clubs were riding each other, doing everything to get each other's goat. Well, in this one particular time, when I went up to bat, Charlie Root was pitching. And the first pitched ball was a called strike. Well, I thought it was outside and didn't like it very much." So, not only was the Cubs dugout and crowd jeering Ruth, but he fell behind in the count. So, the jeering and taunting was getting louder.
After taking the second strike, Ruth says "Well, I stepped out of the box and by that time they were over there going crazy. I looked out at center field and I pointed. I said I'm going to hit the next pitched ball right past the flag pole. Well, the good Lord must have been with me." Ruth maintained that he called his home run. He asserted that he predicted where he would hit the next pitch.
Billy Herman, a player for the Cubs in this game, provided a rebuttal to Ruth's claim. Herman said "Gabby Hartnett was the catcher. He was right there. He knew what was going on. He said "No, he wasn't pointing to the stands. He was pointing to the fans and he called them back to the bench because they were riding him pretty hard. He just pointed two fingers to the dugout and said 'that's only two strikes.'" Herman's words seem persuasive because Hartnett would have had the closest perspective . He would have heard Ruth's words and possibly seen what direction Ruth was pointing.
Through the years, Ruth's family has maintained that he predicted the home run. However, Ruth was less adamant over time. Ruth said that predicting the home run would have been showing up the pitcher and that Root would have responded to the slight. Still, at times, Ruth tried to maintain his original narrative. Perhaps, Ruth thought his original story was good for baseball and his own legacy.
Ed Sherman, of the Chicago Tribune, wrote a book about Ruth's home run entitled "Babe Ruth's Called Shot." Sherman addresses issues associated with the home run such as the coverage of the home run, video footage and modern day opinions of the home run.
When discussing how the newspapers covered the story, Sherman refers to a piece written by John Evangelist Walsh for Sports Illustrated in 1965. Walsh looked at 38 sports writers who wrote for 27 different newspapers. Walsh concluded the following: "Viewing the 38 sports writers as a group, without regard for the weight to be assigned each, the most striking fact is the way they split almost equally on the question. While 21 have nothing to say about a Called Shot, 17 others either definitely record Ruth's pointing to the stands in centerfield, or in some manner strongly imply a similar prediction."Walsh thinks it's possible that some writers did not mention the Called Shot because they did not see it.
Richards Vidmar, of the New York Herald Tribune, said that Ruth responded to the "boos, hisses and jeers" of the Cubs' fans and that after two strikes were called on Ruth, he "held up two fingers and still grinned, the super showman." Vidmar does not suggest that Ruth called his home run.
John Drebinger of the New York Times said "A single lemon rolled out to the plate as Ruth came up in the fifth inning and in no mistaken motions the Babe notified the crowd that the nature of his retaliation would be a wallop right out of the confines of the park." So, Drebinger suggests that Ruth hit the home run in response to the taunting of the crowd. He suggests that Ruth predicted his home run.
Irving Vaughn, of the Chicago Tribune, said Ruth responded to the taunting from the Cub's dugout after getting two strikes by saying "That's only two strikes , boys. I still have one coming." Vaughn also said that Ruth held up two fingers. So, Vaughn suggests that Ruth did not call his shot, but simply reminded the Cubs' dugout that he had only two strikes.
Westbrook Pegler, of the Chicago Tribune, said that Ruth responded to Guy Bush, a Cubs pitcher who was in the dugout taunting Ruth. According to Pegler, "the Babe laughed derisively and gestured at him 'Wait, Mugg, I'm going to hit one out of the yard.' Pegler continues by saying "It was a privilege to be present because it is not likely that the scene will ever be repeated in all its elements. Many a hitter may make two home runs or possibly three in World Series play in years to come, but not the way Babe Ruth hit those two. Nor will you ever see an artist call his shot before hitting one of the longest drives ever made on the grounds in a World Series game, laughing and mocking the enemy with two strikes gone." Pegler suggests fans will never see a performance like Ruth had in this game. Pegler not only believes that Ruth called his own shot, but that no one will be able to do this again. Pegler suggests Ruth's homerun was not only unprecedented, but will never be equaled.
Paul Gallico of the New York Daily News, said "The Babe now held up two fingers and shoot them so that they seemed to reach right into the Cubs' dugout. And this time it was probably the most daring gesture ever made in any game, because it meant that he intended to knock the next one out of the park." Gallico saw the gesture as unprecedented and courageous. He believed that Ruth was confident that he would hit a home run on the next pitch.
Sherman did a good job of collecting different viewpoints from different sports writers who wrote about the home run. No one knows why each writer had a different view. Did some writers exaggerate the accomplishment? Did some writers fail to appreciate the magnitude of the moment? It's difficult to know what interpretation or viewpoint is the most accurate. The different view points add to the drama surrounding Ruth's home run.
Matt Kandle, an amateur photographer/videographer, provided footage of Ruth's 1932 home run. This footage survives today and provides some insight into Ruth's home run.
Kirk Kandle, Matt's grandson, grew up seeing footage of the home run through his family's home movies. Kandle says "I had seen it so many times. I'm sure he pointed at the fence. It never dawned on me that there were questions about Babe calling his shot. I never heard anything else other than the legend." After viewing the home run many times, Kandle believes that Ruth called the home run. He seems convinced that the story about the home run is true.
Kirk Kandle began contacting sports writers about the footage in 1975. He wanted to convince sports writers that Ruth did indeed call his own shot. He contacted Paul Borden in 1975; Robert Creamer of Sports Illustrated in 1976; and the Louisville Courier Journal in 1978. Kandle wanted sports writers to have access to the footage that he grew up with.
Additionally, Kirk Krandle recalled a conversation that he had with Earl Combs, a hall of fame outfielder with the Yankees. Combs, a teammate of Ruth's for many years including 1932, believed that Ruth called the home run.
Kirk Krandle made a key point to Sherman about the footage. Regarding the footage, Sherman says "Krandle did capture the two moments that likely show how the tale of the Called Shot was set into motion. The first produced the famous still of Ruth extending his arm and pointing. The pitch, a ball, dribbles past catcher Gabby Hartnett. This is a key point. Ruth starts to make his gesture here with Hartnett's back turned. The Cubs catcher steadfastly denied that Ruth called his shot, but we can see that he didn't see it all." If Hartnett's back is turned, how could he possibly know that Ruth did not call his shot? Perhaps, he could hear what Ruth said, but he could not tell in Ruth was pointing to the Cubs' dugout or the center field? If he was pointing to the pitcher or centerfield, then it's possible that he called his shot. Hartnett would not be able to conclusively say that Ruth did not call his shot.
Sherman says "Kirk and I watched replays of the Called Shot several times at slower speeds. Even then, it's hard to determine the exact nature of Ruth's gestures." The footage is inconclusive. Whether Ruth called his own shot or not remains uncertain.
Sherman points out that John Thorn, the current official historian of Major League Baseball, has the same opinion that Sherman has. Thorn cannot say conclusively whether or not Ruth called his own shot.
Sherman points out that Don Bell, of the "Village Voice", believes that Ruth did indeed call his shot. Bell says "The conclusion? After watching the film some 20 times at various speeds and stopping it at will, there's no doubt in my mind that Ruth actually called his shot four times. Twice in the first sequence, which was more of a general statement of intent than a prediction, and more definitely, more precisely, in the two cocking-the-gun-and-shooting gesture just before Root hurdle the ball." So, Bell actually believes that Ruth called his shot multiple times, not just once. Bell seems convinced about something that many are uncertain about. Nevertheless, Bell's opinion is interesting and unique.
Sherman asked many modern day baseball observers what they thought about Ruth's home run. Their opinions, like those of historians and latter day sports writers, differed from each other.
Bob Costas said "I never saw anything that was 100% percentage conclusive. There's no question he is doing something, and there is some bravado. I would infer from the bravado that he was saying 'I'll show you.' That's different from saying 'I'll show you, and I'm going to hit the next pitch into the center field bleachers.' We would like to believe that. We just don't have the evidence to back it up." So, Costas believes the evidence is lacking. Costs acknowledges Ruth's confidence, but not his possible prescience.
George Will suggests that Ruth did not call his own shot because he "never unequivocally said he did." So, Ruth's own ambivalence may suggest that the story was exaggerated. Will also says "If he had pointed to the center field seats, the pitch he was vowing to hit there would have hit him". Will points out that Root may have thrown at Ruth if he felt he was showing the pitcher up, which would have violated an unwritten rule of baseball. When a pitcher is shown up, he or his team will often retaliate by throwing at the hitter. As far as we know that did not happen.
Leigh Montville said "I don't think he called his own shot as if he was going to hit a homer to a specific spot. But he was pointing that he was going to hit the ball a long way. It was fortuitous the way it worked out." So, Montville believes that Ruth confidently stood up to the Cubs and their fans, but did predict his home run. Montville points out that Ruth "could be brought into confrontations easily throughout his career. He was always yelling and carrying on." Ruth had a loud and boisterous personality that lent itself to confrontations and arguments. He may simply have been arguing with the Cubs and their fans.
Baseball historian Bill Jenkinson says "It's the single most transcendent moment in baseball history. I believe he called his shot." Jenkins seems so certain that he sees the moment as not only noteworthy, but "transcendent." Jenkinson explains "The problem in believability is the issue of location. Nobody, including Ruth, could point to a spot and say 'I'm going to hit a home run there.' That was always the problem with the legend." However, Jenkins says that if people dismiss the idea that he predicted the location of his home run, then the story of the Called Shot is true. Jenkins says "I'm glad the research took me down this path. Previously, I had been a naysayer. But the data's there. It's overwhelming." Jenkinson has a website for his findings entitled BabeRuth1932.webs.com.
Tim Wiles, director of research for the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, was strongly influenced by a talk given by John Thorn, the official historian of Major League Baseball. Wiles says "John Thorn gave a talk here. He's very good with words. He said something like 'It doesn't matter whether Ruth called his shot. What matters is that we're still talking about it.' The fact that we are still talking about it indicates what sort of person Babe Ruth was, and that it is entirely plausible that he could have called his own shot. He had that outsized talent and personality to be able to do what he said he was going to do." Wiles suggests it's possible because of Ruth's talent and personality. It shows the respect that Ruth earned throughout his career.
Michael Gibbons, the Executive director of the Babe Ruth birthplace and museum, says that Ruth "orchestrated the whole thing. He took two called strikes to make it more dramatic. He challenged them, and he delivered. As he rounds the bases, he's clearly saying 'See I got you.' He called his shot through those gestures and the dynamic of the moment. I just don't think he called his location." Gibbons believes that Ruth intentionally made the moment more dramatic by taking a second strike. Like Jenkinson, he does not believe that Ruth pointed to the specific location of where he would hit the baseball. However, he believed that Ruth called his shot.
Tom Verducci, of Sports Illustrated, says "We've mapped the moon and the human genome. A little uncertainty, even mythology, is good for the soul in this age of hyper analytics. I don't know if Babe Ruth really called his home run in the 1932 World Series, and I'm okay with not knowing." Verducci is comfortable with the uncertainty. Perhaps the uncertainty adds drama and fun to the debate.
Verducci adds "Belieiving he called his shot - and Ruth seemed to encourage this belief as time went on, recognizing the value of the story- is more fun than believing he didn't." Verducci suggests that many people want to believe that Ruth called his shot. People may want to believe that a legendary figure did something legendary.
Buster Olney, of ESPN, says "I don't think Ruth called his own shot based on the moving images we have. If he was standing in the box and pointing toward the centerfield fence, as if to take note of something in the distance, I think he would've raised his hand and arm much higher." Olney seem skeptical that Ruth predicted his home run. However, Olney says "I have always loved the images of Ruth talking down the Cubs' bench as he rounds the bases." Even if he doubts that Ruth called his own shot, Olney respects the drama of the moment.
Sportswriter Roger Snell says " When you see it, even in slow motion, it's not conclusive...Ruth is yelling at the dugout. To me he's responding to the third base side." So, Snell thinks Ruth was responding to the Cubs dugout." Snell also questions why the debate has lingered so long. Snell says "Why it has lived so long is amazing to me. Hartnett and Root, who had their views, were as honest as can be, but so was Lou Gehrig. Why would he lie and say the opposite?" So, Snell believes that the opinions or Hartnett, Root and Gehrig should hold sway.
Jonathan Eig, author of a biography on Lou Gehrig, says "Gehrig was on the on deck circle. He was closer than anybody but the pitcher and catcher. He initially said it didn't happen. I always take the most credence in what somebody I initially says. As the myth began to grow, Gehrig went along with whatever everyone wanted to believe." Eig places confidence in Gehrig's initial response. Gehrig's initial reaction makes Eig skeptical that Ruth called his shot.
Phil Rogers, of the Chicago Tribune, downplays Ruth's gesture. He says " While we all love great stories, I side with Charlie Root on this one. I believe Ruth's gesture was far less grand than it has become over the passing of time. More than likely, he waved his bat at Root after a quick pitch or for some other minor crime." So, Rogers believes the act before the home run has been exaggerated over time. Maybe he believes that the story has been embellished through the years.
David Fletcher, the founder of the Chicago Baseball Museum, is also skeptical. Fletcher says " In essence, the Babe Ruth Called Shot is a wonderful fable, but that's all it is - a fable. Put in the context of time, Ruth "calling" his homer could not have happened." Fletcher believes that it did not happen because Ruth would not have wanted to show up the pitcher. Fletcher believes that "Ruth was the game's greatest-ever showman, but he adhered to the age-old code of the game." Even though Ruth was dramatic, Fletcher believes that Ruth would not have showed up an opponent. Fletcher believes that if Ruth called his own shot, Root would have retaliated presumably by throwing a pitch at him. There is no record that Root tried to hit Ruth with a pitch.
Sherman says "In order to appreciate the totality of the Called Shot, you have to view it from two perspectives: reality and myth. Objectively, sure, you could knock holes in the legend." These are the two elements of the Called Shot. There is this healthy tension between "reality" and "myth." These two elements exist side by side as the story gets passed on to future generations. The uncertainty of how much is true and how much is untrue actually creates drama and interest.
Sherman says "The home videos show do direct evidence of him making the dramatic gesture that some claim he made. Fans in the stands and people in the press box interpreted Ruth's waving as a destination call. Once he delivered and the reporters wrote about it, then of course he called his shot." The actual footage does not show Ruth predicting the home run. However, many in the crowd may have thought that he called the home run or that he predicted that he would hit a home run. The newspaper reports that people read the next day suggested that Ruth called his shot.
Sherman also points out that "Ruth's initial comments don't indicate that he pointed, In his heart of hearts, he knew you couldn't hit a baseball to a specific spot or in the distance." It may have been impossible to hit the ball to a predicted location. Even for a talented batter like Ruth, it may have been impossible to hit the ball precisely where he wanted to.
Sherman says "If Ruth had pointed, all of his teammates would have recalled him boasting about it immediately after the game. Never one for bashfulness, he wouldn't have kept his achievement quiet in the clubhouse. Ruth bough into the story only after hearing it repeated many times. If people wanted to believe it, who was he to spoil a good tale?" In other words, if Ruth definitely called his own shot, more of his teammates would have corroborated the achievement. Also, Ruth would have consistently bragged about the accomplishment considering his gregarious personality. Instead, Ruth probably liked how the story embellished his reputation as a player.
Additionally, Sherman says "Is the story as good if Goliath defeats David in five rounds? Hardly. We need to believe that our heroes are capable of defying imagination by performing superhuman feats of excellence at a time when we most want them to deliver. The Called Shot was that moment for Ruth."
The story of Babe Ruth's Called Shot has been passed on over time. The story involves fact, fiction, myth and a legendary figure. Some express skepticism, while others express belief. Still others appreciate the interesting blend of fact and fiction; accomplishment and myth; and the combination of first hand accounts and historical interpretations.
The story has many elements to it. That's part of what makes the story so memorable and interesting.
It's likely that Ruth made some sort of confident and predictive gesture without actually predicting the exact location of his home run. He was verbally sparing with the Cubs dugout and their fans the whole game. The gesture occurred within the context of that ongoing verbal exchange. So, Ruth was trying to make a point to the Cubs players and fans. He probably reminded them that he had only two strikes on him and that he still had one more strike to give. Although, it is possible that he boasted that he would hit the next pitch for a home run. However, it's unlikely he predicted where he would hit it.
The story will continue to be told. It will continue to appeal to baseball fans and observers.
In any event, it's one of the many stories that comprise the fabric of baseball history. In Shakespearean fashion, the question remains: Did he or didn't he? That is indeed the question.
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