The Yankee home run that made Babe Ruth a legend or a liar (depending who you ask)

Yankee Stadium (New York)

The first two games of the 1932 World Series were held at Yankee Stadium in New York, where the Yankees dominated the Cubs with a 2–0 series lead.

October 1, 1932. Game 3 of the World Series took place at Wrigley Field with the Cubs fans booing Babe Ruth mercilessly on the pitch.

What happens next becomes baseball’s most famous mystery. Did the Babe really point to center field before smashing his home run?

Here’s what really went down that day.

Yankees and Cubs Rivalry Erupts

Tension ran high, long before the first pitch.

Yankees manager Joe McCarthy still resented being fired by the Cubs in 1930 despite winning the pennant a year earlier.

Chicago angered the Yankees further by shortchanging former teammate Mark Koenig on his Series bonus (just to smite em).

Ruth fired back in the press, calling the Cubs “cheap bums.” By the time he arrived in Chicago, angry fans were spitting at Ruth and his wife.

The Final Showdown at Wrigley Field

But Ruth silenced Wrigley early with a three-run homer in the first inning. Lou Gehrig followed with a solo shot in the third.

However, the Cubs didn’t back down. They scored once in the first, twice in the third, and tied it with another run in the fourth.

This tied the game at 4-4. When Joe Sewell made an out to start the fifth, Ruth stepped in for his second at-bat.

Babe Ruth’s ‘Called Shot’

Nearly 50,000 fans packed the stands, all in anticipation as Babe Ruth approached the plate in the fifth inning.

With two strikes against him, Ruth backed away from the plate. He raised his right arm and pointed, perhaps to center field, perhaps elsewhere.

Film footage confirms the gesture, but its meaning remains hotly debated. Some believe he was calling his shot.

Others think he was mocking the Cubs’ bench.

The Mighty Blast to the Center

What happened next sealed the moment’s place in sports lore.

Ruth swung at the next pitch and launched a towering drive to center field. The ball traveled an estimated 440 to 490 feet, landing near the flagpole.

Fans called it the longest homer ever hit at Wrigley.

It broke the 4-4 tie and put New York ahead. Ruth ran the bases with a wide grin, savoring his triumph amid the Chicago crowd.

Gehrig Follows with Another Homer

Next up was Lou Gehrig, who blasted his second homer of the game.

These back-to-back home runs crushed the Cubs’ fighting spirit. Gehrig had watched Ruth’s entire at-bat from the on-deck circle.

His close view would later play a key role in the story’s retelling.

The Yankees went on to win Game 3 by a score of 7-5. The two sluggers showed why the Yankees lineup earned the nickname “Murderers’ Row.”

How Media Created The Called Shot

Reporter Joe Williams coined the phrase “called shot” in a headline the next day. He compared Ruth’s gesture to a billiards player announcing a shot.

Williams claimed Ruth pointed to center before launching the homer. Soon, other writers picked up the story, and many others amplified the tale.

The story caught fire and quickly entered sports mythology.

How Ruth Changed His Story

At first, Ruth said he was just reminding the Cubs he had one strike left. But as the story gained attention, so did his version of events.

When pressed, he often smiled and said, “It’s in the papers, isn’t it?” Later, he claimed he pointed to the center and vowed to hit it past the flag.

The 1947 autobiography claims Ruth dreamed of the homer the night before.

Evidence From Films and Recordings

A fan’s home movie, rediscovered in the 1990s, shows Ruth gesturing.

But it’s unclear if he pointed to center field or at the Cubs bench. The arm motion is visible, but not conclusive.

Then in 2020, a rare 1932 radio interview resurfaced.

Gehrig stood in the on-deck circle and saw everything up close. In it, Gehrig said Ruth did point to center before hitting the ball there.

Legacy of the Called Shot

Among those in the crowd was future President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He reportedly shouted “Unbelievable!” when Ruth hit the homer.

The Yankees won Game 4 the next day and swept the Series.

Whether Ruth truly “called it” doesn’t matter to many fans. The moment symbolized his flair, confidence, and unforgettable presence.

According to the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s article, Babe Ruth’s legendary home run continues to spark debate and fascination.

Visiting Yankee Stadium Today

Yankee Stadium is located at 1 East 161st Street in the Bronx. Alongside, sits the Yankees Museum which features Ruth’s bat from the called shot game.

Tours run year-round, especially during away games, from 11 am to 1:30 pm. General admission costs $30 for adults and $25 for seniors and children.

The Classic Tour includes Monument Park and the dugout access. Visit Monument Park early as it closes 45 minutes before game time.

The VIP Tour ($125) adds private areas like the clubhouse and press box. Take the 4, B, or D train straight to the stadium for easy access.

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