My class on the Literature of Baseball is more fun that I hoped it would be. There are twenty two on our team, three women. The other two gals are just as steeped in the stats as the guys. I’m just a bench warmer but feel totally welcome just the same.
We’re discussing now one of the game’s greatest moments: Babe Ruth pointing to the stands and delivering the ball to that very spot. You’ve heard about it, I know you have. No surprise, the story has twists and turns. FDR threw out the first pitch. (Yes! FDR.) Charlie Root, the all-time winningest pitcher for the Cubs, and Ruth’s opponent on the mound, disputes the hand gesture. “If I had thought he was pointing, I would have plunked him with the next pitch.”
That’s what we talk about back and forth. There’s always more to the story. And there are always more stories.
I hope the class discussed that the existing film footage indicates Ruth was gesturing toward the Cubs dugout, not the bleachers. Moreover, no newspaper mentioned a called shot when reporting the game. Glad you enjoyed the class, Joan.
ReplyDeleteGlad you’re so enjoying this classJoan!! 💞Camille
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