It was the New York Yankees against the Chicago Cubs in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the World Series, held on October 1, 1932, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. With the score tied 4-4 in the fifth inning of game three, Ruth took strike one from pitcher Charlie Root. All the reports say that as the Cubs players heckled Ruth and the fans mercilessly hurled insults, Ruth, rather than ignoring them, was “playing” with them through words and gestures.
Ruth held up his hand pointing at either Root, the Cubs dugout, or center field. Ruth took strike two, and then he repeated this pointing gesture. The Babe stepped into the next pitch and sure enough hit the ball far into the center field stands 440 feet from home plate. Calling the game over the radio, broadcaster Tom Manning shouted, “The ball is going, going, going, high into the center-field stands…and it is a home run!” But for years, controversy swirled over the meaning of that gesture.
Then in 2020, an audio clip was discovered from a radio show originally aired on October 6, 1932. In the audio clip, fellow Yankee player Lou Gehrig said that Ruth was indeed pointing toward the flagpole in center field. “Everybody agreed that the high point of the whole works was Babe’s homer in the fifth inning of the third game out in Chicago. So, what does he do? He stands up there and tells the world that he’s going to sock that next one. And not only that, but he tells the world right where he’s going to sock it, into the center-field stands. A few seconds later, the ball was just where he pointed, in the center-field stands. He called his shot and then made it. I ask you: What can you do with a guy like that?”
When Jesus entered Bethany during the funeral for Lazarus, He walked in with supreme confidence because He was on a mission. He’d already told His disciples and Martha that He had a bigger play in mind. He intentionally delayed arriving to raise the stakes. He comforted Mary and then strode to the graveyard, as John Calvin said, “…as a champion who prepares for conflict.”
So, what was His game? Was it unparalleled hubris? Was it psychotic delusions of grandeur? No, it was the same goal that John had in writing his Gospel. “… that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
I’m sure you know what happens to Lazarus, but what happens to those who witnessed the miracle is truly amazing. John 11:45 says, “Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.” Not only did Lazarus win that day, but so did anyone who believed because of him, and it extends to you and me! That was the goal of the Savior!
So, to quote Gehrig, “What can you do with a guy like that?” You can believe in him, and even though you die, you can have the confidence that by believing in him, you can live eternally!
By the way, the Yankees won the game 7–5 and the next day they finished off the Cubs 13–6, completing a four-game sweep of the World Series. Whatever kind of party they had, it can’t compare to our final celebration when King Jesus returns!
In Christ,
Kurt Jones
P.S. I hope you’ve put Feb 5th on your calendar for our “Fresh Start Fest” right after church for lunch, games, and worship! Make sure you sign up here.