Woody English
| Birthdate | 3/2/1906 |
| Death Date | 9/26/1997 |
| Debut Year | 1927 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Cubs, Dodgers |
| Positions | Shortstop, Third Base |
Woody English was at third base for Babe Ruth’s called shot in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series & also played in MLB’s first All Star game in ’33.
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Woody English says Babe Ruth did not call his shot in the 1932 World Series
Woody English says Babe Ruth did not call his shot in the 1932 World Series
Babe Ruth and the Cubs players were jawing at each other during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series. Ruth hit two homers off of Charlie Root in that game, the second coming in the 5th inning.
That fifth inning bomb is one of the most memorable hits in Major League history and is now referred to as the, “Called Shot”.
Did the Bambino actually point to centerfield before hitting it or was it simply Ruth berating the Chicago players? Playing third base that day for the Cubs was Woody English who forever discounted the idea of Ruth calling his shot. “…he held two fingers up saying that’s only 2 strikes. The press box was some 200 feet up in the stands and the newspaper men thought he pointed, but he did not.”
For more letters from men who played in the game, click here. You’ll see where Ruth teammates Joe Sewell, Ben Chapman, and Frank Crosetti stand and also learn what English and Cub pitcher Guy Bush believe they saw.
Woody English played third base in baseball's first All Star Game in 1933
Woody English played third base in baseball's first All Star Game in 1933
Woody English autographed this 1933 Goudey baseball card reprint depicting him in the 1932 season. English appeared in Major League Baseball’s first All Star game in 1933 and played in two World Series.
He finished with 1,356 career hits and a .286 lifetime average. The third baseman twice led the National League in games played and finished fourth in MVP voting in 1931.
His finest season came in 1930 when he set career highs in batting average (.335), homers (14), RBI (59), hits (214), triples (17), stolen bases (13), and walks (100).
Upon retirement, English returned to baseball as the manager of the Grand Rapid Chicks of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League leading them to two playoff appearances and the 1953 AAGPBL championship. Shown here is a 1933 Goudey reprint autographed by Woody English.
