Over Time,

OVER TIME, some sports accomplishments reach legendary proportions. Babe Ruth’s “called shot” in the 1932 World Series may contain more myth than reality.

The New York Yankees faced the Chicago Cubs in game three at Wrigley Field. With New York victorious in the first two contests, emotions ran high as the Cubs attempted to regroup.

The Yankees felt particular anger toward Chicago over the club’s treatment of former New York player Mark Koenig. Barbs flew continually from both dugouts with Ruth serving as the Yankees’ ringleader.

In the top of the first, Ruth’s homer contributed to a 3–0 Yankees lead. But the Cubs matched New York and tied the game 4–4 in the fourth. With 49,986 fans screaming on every pitch, the Sultan of Swat worked the count to 2-2 in the fifth. Suddenly, the Yankee slugger stepped from the box and made a sweeping gesture toward center field.

He then powered Charlie Root’s pitch deep into the center-field stands. Lou Gehrig, the following batter, also homered. The Yankees held on for a 7–5 win and went up 3–0 in the best-of-seven series.

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POINT About 100 or so reporters covered the game that day. Only one, Joe Williams of the New York World, mentioned Ruth’s gesture. Williams concluded that the star pointed to the place he planned to homer.

Other columnists picked up the hype a few days later. Although Babe Ruth originally denied the story, he later embraced the legend. For years no one knew the truth. But 16mm film shot by Harold Warp, made public in 2000, indicates that Ruth actually pointed toward the Cubs’ dugout, perhaps continuing the taunting.

Over time, legends seem to become reality. The apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy about the danger of myths among Christ’s people. When Christians listen to legend, they turn away from truth and can follow strange ideas.

GOAL! Can you think of any historic myths, such as George Washington’s chopping down the cherry tree, or stories about gods from other countries? Remember that myths usually originate to explain something. Ask God to help you know the difference between fact and fable.