More than seven-and-a-half decades after his death, Babe Ruth made history again when a jersey he was wearing during his famous “called shot” home run plate appearance was auctioned off over the weekend for $24.1 million, the highest price ever paid for a piece of sports memorabilia.
The winning bid for the Great Bambino’s No. 3 New York Yankees road jersey came in at nearly double the price paid for what is now the second most expensive sports collectible — a mint condition Topps 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card auctioned in 2022 for $12.6 million, according to Heritage Auctions, which handled the Ruth jersey sale.
A jersey belonging to MLB legend Babe Ruth shattered the record for the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever auctioned on Sunday, fetching $24.1 million.
The online auction for the New York Yankees great's jersey lasted several weeks, and it was expected to best the previous record: $12.6 million paid in August 2022 for a baseball card of Mickey Mantle.
Until 2022, no piece of sports memorabilia had ever broken the symbolic $10-million mark, but that year saw both the Mantle card and a jersey worn by basketball great Michael Jordan blow past the threshold.
Ruth was being heckled by the opposition, and he reportedly responded by pointing deep into the center-field stands, before pounding the next pitch exactly in that direction for a home run.
The Yankees went on to win the game and the World Series, the final championship win of Ruth's career.
Years after his retirement, Ruth donated the jersey to a golf partner. It was subsequently sold three times, most recently in 2005 for $940,000.
The jersey that New York Yankees icon Babe Ruth wore when he smashed one of baseball’s most famous home runs fetched more than $24 million at auction on Sunday — making it the most valuable sports collectible on the planet. Dallas-based Heritage Auctions put the jersey out to bid and it sold for $24,120,000. The jersey last sold publicly over 20 years ago, going for $975,000.
The previous record-holder for a sports collectible sale at auction belonged to a rare mint Topps 1952 Mickey Mantle card, which sold for $12.6 million in 2022. The Ruth jersey also far-surpassed the $10.1 million that a Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls jersey from Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals grabbed at auction that same year.
Ruth donned the road gray No. 3 jersey when he appeared to “call his shot” against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series. He gestured toward something in center field just before blasting a fifth-inning home run into the bleachers. Over the last nine-plus decades, the “Called Shot” has become a slice of baseball lore, being “endlessly celebrated, imitated and replicated,” according to the auction house’press release.
Chris Ivy, Heritage Auctions' director of sports auctions, predicted the jersey would set a sports collectible record, earning upward of $30 million. "This is essentially the Mona Lisa. It's s a very mythical moment that crosses over not only in baseball history, but American history, pop culture history," Ivy told ESPN. "We're still talking about it 100 years later, which is one of the reasons why I think it's the most significant piece of sports memorabilia in the world. When it hits that new record, high tide raises all boats. I think more people are going to be interested in this hobby."
Barry Meisel, president and COO of MeiGray Authenticated, one of the companies that photo-matched the jersey to seal its authenticity called the jersey “the most important sports relic in American history, in world history.”
The baseball jersey Babe Ruth wore during his legendary Called Shot home run has shattered auction records, fetching $24.1million on Sunday.
The Bambino wore the record-breaking jersey during a historic game against the Chicago Cubs in the 1932 World Series.
Ruth was being heckled by the opposition, and he reportedly responded by pointing deep into the center-field stands, before pounding the next pitch exactly in that direction for a home run.
It came to be known as the 'Called Shot,' and has been recreated countless times in TV, film, and by players around the world.
The Yankees went on to win the game and the World Series, the final championship win of Ruth's career.
Years after his retirement, Ruth, who won seven World Series titles and hit 714 home runs during his career, donated the jersey to a golf partner. It was subsequently sold three times, most recently in 2005 for $940,000.
The baseball jersey Babe Ruth (pictured) wore during his legendary Called Shot home run has shattered auction records, fetching $24.1million on Sunday
The jersey was held by one of Ruth's golfing buddies, before being sold off in the 1990s
The Bambino wore the record-breaking jersey during a historic game against the Chicago Cubs in the 1932 World Series
The Yankees went on to win the game and the World Series, the final championship win of Ruth's career
While it was known that Ruth wore the jersey in the 1932 World Series, it was until authenticators matched it to historic photos that it was confirmed to have been worn during the final match of the tournament.
The jersey, which was put on display at Wrigley Field over the summer, still bears several stains, which Ruth's granddaughter, Linda Ruth Tosetti, theorized could be from mustard.
'I'm sure he had his hot dogs, and he needed to have them throughout the game,' Tosetti said.
The Legend of the 'Called Shot'
The “Called Shot” is one of the most iconic moments in baseball history. While the exact details of the event are disputed, the basic story goes as follows:
On October 1, 1932, during Game 3 of the World Series at Wrigley Field, Babe Ruth was batting in the fifth inning with the bases loaded. The Cubs’ pitcher, Charlie Root, had already walked two batters, and the crowd was taunting Ruth. Ruth, reportedly in a playful mood, gestured towards the outfield stands before hitting the next pitch over the fence for a home run.
The exact meaning of Ruth’s gesture has been debated ever since. Some say that Ruth was simply indicating where he was going to hit the ball, while others believe that he was taunting the Cubs.
Regardless of the exact interpretation, the “Called Shot” became an instant legend, a moment that captured the imagination of baseball fans for generations to come.
The Authenticity of the Jersey
The jersey that was sold at auction was authenticated by a number of experts. The auction house, Heritage Auctions, stated that the jersey was photo-matched to three photographs of Ruth wearing the jersey during the 1932 World Series. MeiGray Authenticated, a leading authentication company for sports memorabilia, also confirmed the authenticity of the jersey.
The jersey was last sold at auction in 2005 for $940,000. It was previously owned by a golf partner of Ruth’s, who received the jersey as a gift from Ruth.
The Impact of the Sale
The sale of Babe Ruth’s “Called Shot” jersey for a record-breaking price is a testament to the enduring popularity of the baseball legend. Ruth remains one of the most beloved and iconic figures in sports history, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of fans.
The sale of the jersey is also a sign of the growing market for sports memorabilia. In recent years, the value of sports collectibles has soared, as investors have sought out tangible assets that can appreciate in value over time. The sale of Ruth’s jersey is a reminder that sports memorabilia is not just for fans, but also for collectors and investors alike.
A Legacy of Greatness
Babe Ruth’s career was filled with countless memorable moments, but the “Called Shot” stands out as one of the most iconic. The gesture, the home run, and the legend that surrounds it have captured the imagination of baseball fans for generations. Ruth's legacy as a great player and a larger-than-life figure is undeniable. The record-breaking sale of his “Called Shot” jersey is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest players in baseball history.
