In 1969 he was named the all-time greatest Cubs righthander, but despite all his accomplishments, he'll always be most remembered for something that never happened...Babe Ruth's called shot during the 1932 World Series. Root always denied that Ruth really did it.
"He was just saying he had one strike left," Root insisted. The man that gave up the supposed "called shot" had a reputation as a headhunter, which is why it's doubtful Ruth actually called the shot.
How much of a headhunter was he? One time Charley was hit in the elbow by another pitcher (Adolpho Lugue). When he got back to the mound, he knocked down all nine guys on Lugue's team. One after another, bang, bang, bang. He was going to keep going but the umpire finally stepped in after he got every guy once.
How much of a headhunter was he? His nickname was "Chinski" because he wasn't afraid to throw the ball right at your chin.
Root pitched in four different World Series for the Cubs, but never won a post season game (0-3, 6.75 ERA in the WS). He did, however, win over 200 games for the Cubs (the only pitcher who ever did).
When he retired in 1941, he was given a station wagon, a desk clock, a casting rod, $50 in gas coupons, and a live pig.
