On Oct. 1, 1932 in game 3 of the World Series at Wrigley Field, Chicago, what developed in the 5th inning will live forever in Baseball lore.
When Ruth came to the plate in the 5th inning the noise level in the stadium increased dramatically. He was continuously jeered by the Chicago Cubs players and the Cub fans. With the count 1 - 2, he gestured toward center field bleachers as if to indicate that's where he planned to hit the next pitch. Charlie Root, the Chicago Cubs pitcher, delivered the next pitch and Ruth hit the ball sending John Moore, the Chicago centerfielder running back, then stopping. The ball landed 436 feet from home plate, the 15th and last World Series home run for Babe Ruth, the longest home run ever hit to that point in time in Wrigley Field.
Matt Miller Kandle, Sr., a Chicago amateur filmmaker took a Kodak 16mm camera to Wrigley Field on that day and captured this event on safety film. Viewing this film is not conclusive of the alleged call. There have been many statements by members of both teams that contradict or agree as to whether Ruth actually pointed to the center field bleachers indicating he was going to hit a home run. A few of these follow:
Earle "Doc" Painter, the Yankee trainer said: "..Charlie Root put over a called strike and the delighted fans roared. Ruth made a three-quarter turn to the stands and held up one finger...Root put over another strike and the Babe repeated the pantomine, holding up two fingers this time. Then, before taking his stance, he swept his left arm full length and pointed to the center field fence. When he got back to the bench after hitting the homer, Herb Pennock said: 'Supposed you had missed, you would have looked like an awful bum.' Ruth, drawing a drink at the water cooler, laughed: 'Hell, I never though of that.'"
Joe Sewell, the Yankee third baseman said: "....he (Ruth) didn't say a thing, and the next pitch was just a little above the knees. You've seen a golf ball hit, how it keeps rising, that's the way the ball went, and it went right through a tree outside the ballpark....don't let anyone tell you Ruth didn't (point) because I saw it."
Gabby Hartnett, the Chicago catcher: "Babe came up in the fifth and took two called strikes. After each one the Cub bench gave him the business, stuff like he was choking and he was washed up. Babe waved his hand across the plate toward our bench on the third base side. One finger was up. At the same time he said softly, and I think only the umpire and I heard him, 'It only takes one to hit it.' Root came in with a fast one and it went into the center field seats. Babe didn't say a word when he passed me after the home run. If he had pointed out at the bleachers, I'd be the first to say so."
Lou Gehrig, who was on deck when Ruth hit the home run, said: "What do you think of the nerve of that big monkey (Ruth) calling his shot and getting away with it?"
Ruth is quoted as saying: "Aw, everybody knows that game, the day I hit the homer off ole Charlie Root.....But right now I want to settle all arguments. I didn't exactly point to any spot, like the flagpole. Anyway, I didn't mean to, I just sorta waved at the whole fence, but that was foolish enough. All I wanted to do was give that thing a ride... outta the park... anywhere." This is one of different accounts offered by Ruth over the succeeding years.
the 1 and 1 pitch .. called strike 2 .. Babe let that one go past him also .. he never took the bat off his shoulder .. 1 and 2 on Ruth .. now Babe raises that finger again looks out at Charlie .. gets the sign from Gabby .. he's in the wind up .. here's the 1 and 2 pitch .. a swing .. a long fly .. it's toward that center field corner .. the ball .. almost in the exact spot that Babe has been pointing to .. here's Ruth around second on his way toward third .. (Jack laughing) .. as he comes into third .. (Jack laughing) .. as he comes into third he thumbs his nose in the direction of the Cubs dugout .. here he is around....
Ruth is being given a hand-shake congratulations by Lou Gehrig and watched by Cub Catcher Gabby Harnett and Umpire Roy Van Graflan as he heads toward the Yankee Dugout. Moments later Gehrig followed with a home run on the first pitch.
