Lot # 1188: 1984 Joe Sewell Twice-Signed Handwritten Letter Describing Babe Ruth's 1932 World Serie Called Shot - Full JSA LOA

An eyewitness to baseball's most famous blast gives his testimony, with this March 8, 1984 Joe Sewell twice-signed handwritten letter to a fan. This fantastic letter details Babe Ruth's legendary "called shot" home run in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, which traveled 490 feet into the centerfield bleachers. The New York Yankees were facing the Chicago Cubs on October 3, 1932, at Wrigley Field, and Ruth had already hit a home run if the first inning, followed by a Lou Gehrig blast in the third. The Yankees and Cubs had been riding each other throughout the Series, and Cubs fans had thrown fruits and vegetables at Ruth, while at the plate and in outfield in Game 3. This crisp, clean, double-sided letter remains clearly legible, with fantastic commentary.

In Sewell's handwritten account, he returned to the Yankees dugout after making an out to lead off the top of the fifth. From his seat next to Jimmy Burke, Sewell heard the Yankees coach "cussing" at Ruth for clowning around at the plate. Sewell reports Ruth held up a finger after strike one and then two fingers after strike two. Sewell then states "and with his bat in his left hand he pointed to the centerfield fence, and hit the next pitch through a small tree outside the park loaded with small boys watching the game, as the ball went through the tree, the boys evaporated it seems, they were after the ball.", followed by "Babe never said a word to Charlie Root the pitcher, but he was cussing Burly Grimes, Bob Smith and Bush, a pitcher. When Babe rounded third coming home they threw cabbage, oranges, eggs, and a lot of other things out of the stands at Babe.". Sewell then relates time had to be called so the groundkeeper could clean up the mess. Sewell's report continues emphatically with "Yes, he pointed to the centerfield fence and hit the next pitch for a home run, and don't let anybody tell you he did not.".

In regard to the ensuing Game 4, Sewell states that baseball commissioner Judge Landis "threatened us with a $500 fine if he heard any of us using profanity that day, you could have heard a pin drop.". Sewell concludes this letter with "Thanks for remembering me, and sorry I was so late in replying.", followed by a neat, distinct signature. Sewell added a postscript and a second distinct signature.

Cubs pitcher Charlie Root threw one more pitch when play resumed, which Gehrig hit for his second homer of the day. The Yankees won game 3 by a score of 7-5 and they completed their 1932 World Series sweep against the Cubs the next day, by a score of 13-6. A frame-by-frame examination of the film from this historic at-bat, suggests Ruth first pointed quickly at centerfield or possibly pitcher Charlie Root, followed by more pronounced pointing by Ruth at the Cubs dugout, as his right arm changes direction. The debate over this legend will likely continue on and on, with Sewell's account adding to the evidence for true believers.

Full LOA from James Spence/JSA.