Let's Re-Visit The Great Debate

[BabyRuth]

From the photo evidene something obviously was happening that fateful day, and for me, it was the Babe calling his shot!!!
Every thread needs a card!!!

[Exhibitman]

Heckuva card.

i would like to think that Ruth called it. I have no idea. The footage I've seen is interesting but not definitive.

Ruth card:

[JollyElm]

The problem is there may or may not be enough context to the whole situation. Any still picture showing him pointing is compelling, however if you watch the small bits of video in existence, The Babe didn't stop what he was doing and point definitively and directly to the center field stands (as is always implied). His arm/hand was waving around seemingly pointing at the other team, and pretty significantly in my mind, it wasn't pointing 'high' enough to be majestically directing attention to way out in center field. (And yes, I want the 'called shot' to actually be true, but it's a tough sell, unfortunately.)

Check out this short video of the event:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...6FORM%3DHDRSC4

[Bigdaddy]

I had written Joe Sewell, HOFer and teammate of the Babe's on that 1932 WS team, a letter back in the late 1980s asking him if the Babe called his shot. Joe replied back that the Babe did indeed point to CF before his dinger.

Good enough for me.

If I can dig it out, I'll post a scan.

[Touch'EmAll]

We need good stuff to believe. The called shot is good stuff. I believe.

[raulus]

Does it matter anymore whether he did or didn’t actually do it?

It just seems like the myth and the legend has taken over the public consciousness to the point where whether it ever really happened is irrelevant.

[Peter_Spaeth]

In 1942, during the making of The Pride of the Yankees, Babe Herman (who was at that time a teammate of Root with the minor league Hollywood Stars) was on the movie set as a double for both Ruth (who played himself in most scenes) and Gary Cooper (who played Lou Gehrig). Herman re-introduced Root and Ruth on set and the following exchange (later recounted by Herman to baseball historian Donald Honig) took place:

Root: "You never pointed out to center field before you hit that ball off me, did you?"
Ruth: "I know I didn't, but it made a hell of a story, didn't it?"

[G1911]

Originally Posted by raulus

Does it matter anymore whether he did or didn’t actually do it?

It just seems like the myth and the legend has taken over the public consciousness to the point where whether it ever really happened is irrelevant.

The truth is always relevant to the subject, sir.

Whether a sports game is is another story…

Documentary evidence is ambiguous, witness testimony is not in accord with each other. It’s probably not true, the story told is too clean and perfectly polished, but it’s a good story and in character.

[brunswickreeves]

Could you imagine a duel signed Ruth / Root ball from that game? We can get close to the events of time through a piece of memorabilia or cards.

[jingram058]

Here is the Zack Taylor of the Cubs who stated he saw Ruth do it. He said this 3 weeks before he passed away. Basically a deathbed confession. I have more faith in first person, eyes on, rather than armchair analysis from decades afar

[raulus]

Originally Posted by G1911

The truth is always relevant to the subject, sir.

Whether a sports game is is another story…

Documentary evidence is ambiguous, witness testimony is not in accord with each other. It’s probably not true, the story told is too clean and perfectly polished, but it’s a good story and in character.

I get your point. And I certainly agree.

My point was that even if ironclad proof were to come out tomorrow that it absolutely didn’t happen, we would all (well, 99.99% of the population) quickly forget about said proof, and the legend would live on as it has these last several decades, in spite of the proof to the contrary.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by raulus

I get your point. And I certainly agree.

My point was that even if ironclad proof were to come out tomorrow that it absolutely didn’t happen, we would all (well, 99.99% of the population) quickly forget about said proof, and the legend would live on as it has these last several decades, in spite of the proof to the contrary.

I don't see why that would be. Much of the staying power of the Called Shot is its ambiguity and Ruth's own shifting story.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by raulus

I get your point. And I certainly agree.

My point was that even if ironclad proof were to come out tomorrow that it absolutely didn’t happen, we would all (well, 99.99% of the population) quickly forget about said proof, and the legend would live on as it has these last several decades, in spite of the proof to the contrary.

Never let ironclad proof get in the way of a narrative

[conor912]

“If I thought for one second he was calling his shot, I would have put the next pitch in his ear” - Charlie Root….and I believe him.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

I had written Joe Sewell, HOFer and teammate of the Babe's on that 1932 WS team, a letter back in the late 1980s asking him if the Babe called his shot. Joe replied back that the Babe did indeed point to CF before his dinger.

With which finger