Did the Babe Call His Shot in ‘32? Film Might Hold Key

Kirk Kandle of Chicago says that he has the answer to one of baseball’s most celebrated and disputed events: Babe Ruth’s alleged called-shot home run in the 1932 World Series.

But Kandle isn’t saying what is revealed on the two-minute film he claims his great-grandfather shot during the game in Chicago’s Wrigley Field. At least not yet.

“I won’t make any claims about what it portrays, except that it’s Babe Ruth’s called-shot home run,� Kandle said from his home in Louisville, Ky.

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Add Ruth: Eddie Gold, a Chicago Sun-Times editor who said he interviewed many of the principals in the drama--including Chicago pitcher Charlie Root and his catcher, Gabby Hartnett--wasn’t impressed by Kandle’s claim.

“If (Ruth) would have pointed toward the bleachers, there would have been 100 photographs,� Gold said.

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Trivia time: What is the longest sudden death playoff in PGA history?

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Nervous time: John Robinson might be apprehensive about USC’s opening game Sept. 4 against Houston at the Coliseum.

When he made his debut as USC’s football coach in 1976, the Trojans were shocked by Missouri, 46-25, at the Coliseum. Robinson and his staff recovered rather well, though, winning 11 consecutive games--including a 14-6 victory over Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

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More Raider bashing: Columnist Art Spander of the San Francisco Examiner takes one more shot at the Raiders, who should be bullet proof by now:

“The problem with the (San Francisco) 49ers is they don’t have a slogan. How about ‘Commitment to Excellence’? Or, ‘Pride and Poise’? Oh, I forgot. Those belong to the Los Angeles Raiders, at least until truth in labeling laws take effect.�

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Patton protege? From ESPN analyst Beano Cook in a Time magazine article: “If (Stanford Coach) Bill Walsh was a general, he would be able to overrun Europe with the army from Sweden.�

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Baloney deal: Tony Kornheiser of the Washington Post is intrigued by Barry Bonds’ $43.75-million deal because it is a personal-services contract with San Francisco Giant Owner Peter Magowan.

“Magowan made his money from Safeway,� Kornheiser writes. “Does that mean if Bonds slumps, and Magowan concludes he’s not getting his money’s worth, he’ll tell Bonds to go bag groceries after day games? Will you see Bonds slicing deli at the Fisherman’s Wharf Safeway?�

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FYI: With Super Bowl XXVII being played in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 31, the Los Angeles-Pasadena area will tie New Orleans for the most times as site of the game, seven each.

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Trivia answer: Cary Middlecoff and Lloyd Mangrum were even after 11 extra holes in the 1949 Motor City Open, and the match was called a tie.

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Quotebook: Robert Parish of the Boston Celtics on rookie Shaquille O’Neal of the Orlando Magic: “He has a hard body. It was like colliding with a 10-story building. He’s the strongest guy I’ve played against since Artis Gilmore.�