The Making of a Myth
During a recent episode of a sports podcast, Cubs All‑Star Pete Crow‑Armstrong found himself at odds with veteran commentator Chris Russo over a fringe theory that the iconic Babe Ruth never existed.
Crow‑Armstrong, who has long admired Ruth’s combination of pitching prowess and hitting power, argued that the sheer volume of Ruth’s 714 career home runs and his feats on the mound make the notion of non‑existence absurd, emphasizing that the legend’s impact remains measurable in modern statistics.
Russo, known for his sharp critiques, labeled the theory derogatory and expressed outrage, insisting that such speculation disrespects the historical record and the players who paved the way for today’s stars.
The exchange also touched on the era before 1945, when baseball was segregated, a factor Russo acknowledged could have shaped the preservation of early records and the mythologizing of certain figures.
Both participants agreed that Babe Ruth would have earned a place in the Hall of Fame whether judged solely as a pitcher or as a hitter, but they diverged on whether modern athletes and media should be allowed to re‑examine or diminish that legacy.