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Why is the story of Babe Ruth’s called shot disputed?
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Babe Ruth
When he joined the New York Yankees in 1920, Babe Ruth embarked on a home-run hitting campaign that would transform baseball and establish a record that would stand for nearly four decades.
The story of Babe Ruth’s "called shot" during the 1932 World Series remains a subject of debate because its historical accuracy is in doubt.1
During the third game of the series against the Chicago Cubs, Ruth was being heckled by the opposing bench. According to the popular account, he responded to the taunts by pointing his finger toward the center-field bleachers before hitting a home run into that exact spot on the very next pitch. While this moment is celebrated as a prime example of Ruth’s flair for the dramatic, there is no definitive consensus on whether he was truly "calling his shot" or simply gesturing in the direction of the field or the opposing dugout.1