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Lot 3
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Lot 3
Description: Babe Ruth "Called Shot" scrapbook with related player autographs and hand-written accounts on what actually happened (EX-NM). Very interesting and desirable modern scrapbook containing (21) signatures of players who were part of the Chicago Cubs vs. New York Yankees game played on October 1st, 1932. Legend has it that during Ruth's at bat in the 5th inning, he pointed to the stands in the outfield, and with two strikes, hit a homerun toward where he was pointing. There are (15) signed hand written player accounts (mostly on backs of postcards or 3x5s) on what they witnessed that day within the scrapbook. Statements include: Johnny Moore: "I was in CF for the Cubs the day "Babe" hit his famous HR. Our bench jockeys were riding "Babe" pretty good. I believe he was making motions to our bench, and this was mistaken for anything to do with the HR."; George Pipgras: "Yes Babe did point he was going to hit a home run to right field"; Ben Chapman: "No he did not call his shot, but he could have, he was the greatest."; Lefty Gomez: "I would say he called the H.R. shot."; Guy Bush: "Its a long story, but my guess is he pointed to the bleachers and on next pitch, he hit the home run."; Guy Bush: "I believe he did. They say no - I say yes."; Bill Dickey: "Thats always been a $64 question - Some say yes, some no."; Charlie Grimm: "No he was pointing to the pitching mound and was arguing with Guy Bush who was on the bench. Thats what Hartnett told me, who was catching."; Riggs Stephenson: "Babe probably made gesture of the count."; Mark Koenig: "There's no question that Ruth made a gesture with his hand but whether he was indicating a home run on the next pitch or acknowledging two strikes, is a matter of conjecture."; Frank Crosetti: "My opinion the Babe did not point to center field. I think he put up one finger, meaning that he had one more strike left as Root had thrown 2 fast strikes over. The Cub bench was riding him and he then put up the finger. Of course the newspaper like to make big deals and exaggerate - so they said that he pointed. I have always said this and continue to, but you can't take it away from the Babe - He was great."; Burleigh Grimes: "Joe Bush and Bob Smith were nagging the Babe. When Root got 2 strikes they gave him a good blast. Ruth pointed to the Cub bench, and said I got the big one left. Christy Walsh was ghosting for Babe and he wrote the pointing story. Bull. This is 1932."; Billy Herman: "The answer is no."; Joe Sewell: "Yes, I hit just ahead of Babe Ruth (#2) spot. Babe never said a word to Charlie Root. He was cursing and fussing with Burleigh Grimes and Bob Smith on their bench. After two strikes he got out of the batters box and pointed to the fence. On the next pith he hit the home run through a tree out of the park. I can still see the ball go through the tree."; and Woody English: "Absolutely not. Not to take anything from the "Babe" because I admired and liked him - I later played with Brooklyn Dodgers in 1935 when he was a coach on the team. He was pointing toward the Cub dugout and said that only two strikes. The press box in Wrigley Field was some 90 feet from home plate. But it did make a good story."; Other signed items within the scrapbook include: Charlie Root signed canceled bank check dated 1956 (cancellation stamping intersects with the signature); Guy Bush signed 8"x10" b&w photo, Bill Dickey signed 8"x10" b&w photo; Burleigh Grimes signed 8"x10" b&w photo, Billy Herman signed 8"x10" b&w photo, and Woody English signed 8"x10" b&w photo. Signatures rate 8-10 out of 10: EX-NMFinal Bid: $562.00
Current EST: 04/19/24 6:17:04 AM