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Forget Kirk Gibson's homer and Don Larsen's perfect game -- the Babe's called shot in game three of the 1932 World Series is baseball's ultimate moment. It certainly cemented his reputation as the Sultan of Swat...but did it really happen? His official site features a wonderful account of the incident. The '32 Series between the Yankees and the Cubs was particularly nasty. Many words were passed, and gestures made. The Babe was naturally a target for abuse. He had already homered once that game when he came up to bat in the fifth inning. The Bambino certainly said something, then made a gesture with his bat -- but was he pointing to Cubs pitcher Charlie Root, or was he aiming for the bleachers? Regardless of the intent, after two strikes and two balls, Ruth proceeded to slam what is thought to be the longest home run ever hit out of Wrigley Field. Because of the roar of the crowd, no one could hear what he actually said. After the game, the Babe refused to comment. The Baseball Page claims that Ruth was probably just heckling the opposing bench. No one ever forgot the home run though, and, as they say, when the legend becomes fact, print the legend.
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