The Called Shot

A fun, well-researched, compellingly told and substantively rich work. I don't know if Tom Wolf pointed to the bleachers or not before he sat down to write this book, but he definitely hit a home run. --Lincoln Mitchell, Start Spreading the News Blog-- (1/7/2021 12:00:00 AM) [Wolf] delivers a solid and exciting look at the 1932 baseball season. . . . Baseball fans will delight in this thrillingly told history. --Publishers Weekly, starred review Many fans know about Babe Ruth's legendary called shot --when, during the 1932 World Series, he pointed to the bleachers at Wrigley Field and hit a home run in the same direction. But Wolf takes the familiar sports legend (which is true, mostly) and weaves around it an engaging and insightful recounting of all that led up to that moment, and the colorful figures who played important roles in how the game--and America--played out in that dramatic year. --Chris Foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-- (3/20/2020 12:00:00 AM) Nearly 80 years after the event took place, a home run in the fifth inning of game three of the 1932 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs is still being discussed and debated. Yankee outfielder Babe Ruth came to the plate and while being heckled by players from the Cubs dugout, he supposedly pointed to center field and proceeded to homer in the area to which he pointed. The verification of that event, while still being debated today, is only one of a number of topics about the 1932 baseball season on display in this excellent book by Thomas Wolf. --Lance Smith, Guy Who Reviews Sports Books-- (4/27/2020 12:00:00 AM) This book has it all. It is well-written, well-researched, and full of surprises. --Mark McGee, NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture The Called Shot is a satisfying read and provides depth and context to a memorable baseball season. As the reader will discover, the 1932 season was more than just Babe Ruth's most iconic moment. --Bob D'Angelo, Sports Bookie-- (6/5/2020 12:00:00 AM) The Called Shot provides readers a multilayered narrative of politics, pop culture, American history, and baseball. Going far beyond the games on the field, Thomas Wolf's book gives readers a glimpse into a season they only thought they knew. --William Steele, author of Going the Distance: The Life and Works of W. P. Kinsella-- (9/23/2019 12:00:00 AM) [The Called Shot] is a fun read and gives great insight on what life was like in Chicago in the early 1930s, both what it was like being a Cubs fan, and life in general. --Al Yellon, Bleed Cubbie Blue-- (11/29/2020 12:00:00 AM) A worthy read. --Jerry Milani, Sports Media Report-- (6/2/2020 12:00:00 AM) Wolf presents a fascinating study, well-researched and the story of the entire season erupting at that point equally remarkable. --Andy Esposito, NY Sports Day-- (12/9/2020 12:00:00 AM)