On July 3rd, 1932, one of the most iconic moments in sports history took place during the MLB World Series between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs at Yankee Stadium. It was Game 3 of the series, and the Yankees were leading 2-0. In the fifth inning, with two outs and the bases loaded, Yankee slugger Babe Ruth stepped up to the plate to face Cubs pitcher Charlie Root.
What happened next has been the subject of much debate and legend. According to the story, Ruth pointed his bat towards the outfield, allegedly "calling his shot" and predicting that he would hit a home run. Whether he actually pointed or not remains a mystery, but what is certain is that on the next pitch, Ruth hit a mammoth home run to deep center field, sending the ball an estimated 490 feet and giving the Yankees a 6-4 lead.
The home run was one of the most famous in baseball history and helped cement Ruth's status as one of the greatest players of all time. It also added to the Yankees' mystique and their reputation as a dominant force in the sport.
The Yankees went on to win the game 7-5 and eventually swept the Cubs in the series, winning their fourth World Series championship. Ruth's "called shot" became an instant legend and has been the subject of countless retellings and reenactments in the decades since.
Interestingly, the validity of Ruth's "called shot" has been debated for years. Some witnesses, including Root himself, claimed that Ruth never pointed to the outfield and that the story was embellished over time. Others, however, swear that they saw Ruth make the bold prediction and that it was one of the greatest moments in sports history.
Regardless of whether the "called shot" actually happened or not, there is no denying the significance of Ruth's home run and its place in baseball lore. It remains one of the most famous moments in the sport's history and a testament to the larger-than-life persona of Babe Ruth, who finished his career with 714 home runs and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever step on a baseball diamond.
