Most Notorius interview of researcher of the 1932 shooting of Bill Jurges.

[mrreality68]

The Myth, The Man, The Legend

The truth may never be know

But it is all amazing history and great conversation

[whitehse]

I had worked for the Cubs seven years in the 80's and one of the highlights of my time there was the ability to talk to the old timers who hung around the old ball park on a normal game day. I loved talking to guys like George Brace who had likely photographed every athlete that came through Wrigley or Comiskey since the Ruth/Gehrig era. There were several other old players and guys who worked around the old ball park since the 30's which loved to share any story they had if they were just asked. I was I had the thought to record or write down those stories as sadly, they are now gone.

The one thing I always asked of the old timers was about the called shot. SO many of them were there (and could prove it) and to a person, they all said Ruth never called his shot but rather held up his fingers towards the Cubs Dugout to indicate that it only took one pitch to hit the ball out. After the first pitch Ruth yelled "thats one" towards the Cubs dugout. After the second pitch I was told Ruth yelled "Thats two" towards the Cubs and then...well we all know what happened on the third pitch. These old timers all stated the same story to me and said that Ruth "laughed his ass off" as he rounded the bases.

This story, that was told to me by at least five separate guys who were eye witnesses to the event is the exact same story I have read over the years. While I want to believe Ruth called his shot, the people who were there that I know speak from direct knowledge tell this other story which I do believe.

[Mark17]

I've never understood why it makes such a big difference to some. Ruth indicating to the Cubs that he still had one strike left to hit one out, or Ruth pointing towards the fence indicating he wanted to hit one out. What's the big difference?

Either way, if Root strikes him out, he's going to look foolish, and if he does hit one out, he's got the last laugh.

Personally, I don't think he pointed to center field. But he definitely did put himself in a situation, in front of the entire Wrigley crowd, where he would've been laughed at and jeered mercilessly had he not hammered the next pitch to cross the plate.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Mark17

I've never understood why it makes such a big difference to some. Ruth indicating to the Cubs that he still had one strike left to hit one out, or Ruth pointing towards the fence indicating he wanted to hit one out. What's the big difference?

Either way, if Root strikes him out, he's going to look foolish, and if he does hit one out, he's got the last laugh.

Personally, I don't think he pointed to center field. But he definitely did put himself in a situation, in front of the entire Wrigley crowd, where he would've been laughed at and jeered mercilessly had he not hammered the next pitch to cross the plate.

Great points Mark. Back in that day the players interacted much more with the other team and its players during games than ever would likely be tolerated today. And just think, if Ruth had ended up getting merely a base hit in that at bat, we'd never all be talking about this today. LOL

[BobC]

Originally Posted by whitehse

I had worked for the Cubs seven years in the 80's and one of the highlights of my time there was the ability to talk to the old timers who hung around the old ball park on a normal game day. I loved talking to guys like George Brace who had likely photographed every athlete that came through Wrigley or Comiskey since the Ruth/Gehrig era. There were several other old players and guys who worked around the old ball park since the 30's which loved to share any story they had if they were just asked. I was I had the thought to record or write down those stories as sadly, they are now gone.

The one thing I always asked of the old timers was about the called shot. SO many of them were there (and could prove it) and to a person, they all said Ruth never called his shot but rather held up his fingers towards the Cubs Dugout to indicate that it only took one pitch to hit the ball out. After the first pitch Ruth yelled "thats one" towards the Cubs dugout. After the second pitch I was told Ruth yelled "Thats two" towards the Cubs and then...well we all know what happened on the third pitch. These old timers all stated the same story to me and said that Ruth "laughed his ass off" as he rounded the bases.

This story, that was told to me by at least five separate guys who were eye witnesses to the event is the exact same story I have read over the years. While I want to believe Ruth called his shot, the people who were there that I know speak from direct knowledge tell this other story which I do believe.

Exactly what I was saying above Andrew. Per accounts Ruth initially said he was indicating to the Cubs players he still had another strike to go. It was only after others created the story that Ruth just took and went with it.