Imagine my surprise Sunday when I saw a nearly two-page spread in the New York Post dedicated to my new book, Babe Ruth’s Called Shot: The Myth and Mystery of Baseball’s Greatest Home Run. What, it was a slow sports news day in New York Sunday?

Many thanks to Larry Getlen for doing the write-up. Much appreciate him taking the time to give a thorough examination to the book. The book currently is available via Amazon and will be in bookstores later this month.

However, I feel I need to clarify a key point in Getlen’s story that I “debunked” Ruth’s grand gesture in  during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series. The perception stems mainly from the headline: “Journalist debunks Babe Ruth’s legendary Called Shot.”

Getlen writes:

In a new investigation, veteran Chicago Tribune journalist Ed Sherman spells out the relevant events of the day, interviews people who were there and pores over other eyewitness accounts to determine whether Ruth’s called shot was one of baseball’s greatest achievements or simply the most loved and lasting of the sport’s outsized myths.

Indeed, my goal for the book is present all sides of the story, not to mention the many twists and turns that helped produce the legend. In Getlen’s piece, he focuses on the items from my research that suggest Ruth didn’t call his shot. They include naysayers among eyewitnesses and even Ruth’s own quotes in which he wavered on whether he had the audacity to point to centerfield during his at bat with Charlie Root.

However, the book also presents evidence from other eyewitnesses who insist it happened. There was a decided split among people who attended the game. Pat Pieper, the Cubs’ legendary PA announcer, had a perfect perch to take in the scene, sitting in the first row behind home plate. He once told the Chicago Tribune’s David Condon:

“Don’t let anyone tell you that Ruth didn’t call that shot. I was in a perfect position to see and hear everything.

“With two strikes, Ruth lifted his bat, pointed toward the center field flag pole, and dug in for Charlie Root’s next pitch. That was the most terrific home run I’ve ever seen. It went out of the park at almost precisely the same spot that Ruth had indicated. As far as I’m concerned, that ball is still traveling. ‘You bet your life Babe Ruth called it.'”

Much of whether The Called Shot is true is left up to interpretation. When people ask me, I always reply it isn’t as simple as a yes-no, black-white answer. There is much gray area in there. Obviously, I have my own views. You’ll have to read the book.

One thing is for sure: Something of considerable magnitude occurred during the fifth inning of Game 3. There is a tendency by people who dismiss the the Called Shot to make it sound as if this was a normal at bat with Ruth merely facing Cubs pitcher Charlie Root.

Far from it. Ruth was being taunted by Cubs players who actually were standing on the field. The crowd was in a frenzy, as the Cubs finally seized momentum to tie the game at 4-4. Ruth responded vehemently with not one but several dramatic gestures, suggesting he was going to do something bad to the Cubs. Then he hit one of the longest homers in Wrigley Field history, which effectively sealed the World Series for the Yankees.

Quite simply, this was the most unique at bat in baseball history. A seminal moment by the greatest player and showman ever to play the game. There’s good reason why we’re still discussing it more than 81 years later.

Coming soon: More on the book, including some excerpts.