Babe Ruth, the larger-than-life figure of baseball lore, is set to make headlines once again as his iconic “called shot” jersey takes center stage at Heritage Auctions. The historic artifact, with an estimated value of $30 million, is poised to potentially become the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever sold.
The jersey’s intriguing history dates back to a monumental game at Wrigley Field in 1932, where Babe Ruth famously pointed to the outfield before delivering a home run against the Chicago Cubs. This legendary moment has captivated baseball enthusiasts for decades, sparking spirited debates and adding layers of mystique to Ruth’s already legendary status. The authenticity of Ruth wearing this very jersey during that fateful game has been bolstered by thorough photo matching from two reputable companies, heightening both its allure and potential worth.
Having previously changed hands in 2005 for a substantial sum of $944,000, the jersey was originally consigned by the daughter of one of Ruth’s golfing companions. Over the years, it has undergone meticulous conservation efforts by the Textile Conservation Workshop, ensuring that a tear was expertly repaired while preserving the jersey’s original condition. The fact that the jersey perfectly aligns with the style worn by the Yankees in 1932 further cements its historical significance.
Chris Ivy, the Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, has underscored the unparalleled importance of Ruth’s World Series jersey in the realm of sports memorabilia. He stated, “Ruth’s World Series jersey is the most significant piece of American sports memorabilia to be offered at auction in decades, solidifying its status as the most expensive sports collectible to ever grace the auction block.”
The current record holder for the priciest sports collectible is a Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps card, which fetched an astounding $12.6 million at Heritage Auctions in 2022. Notably, the highest sum ever paid for a Ruth jersey stands at $5.6 million for a circa 1928-1930 model, sold by Hunt Auctions at Yankee Stadium in 2019.
The meticulous examination of the provenance and unique features of Ruth’s “called shot” jersey, including details like button placement and specific stains, has been instrumental in validating its authenticity. Authenticators like MeiGray have painstakingly scrutinized these characteristics, treating each game-worn jersey as distinct as a fingerprint. This scrupulous attention to detail provides potential bidders with concrete visual evidence supporting the jersey’s claim to fame.
Babe Ruth’s legendary home run in the 1932 World Series not only marked a pivotal moment in baseball history but also contributed to the enduring mystique surrounding the Bambino. Despite differing accounts of the iconic event, Ruth’s boldness and remarkable performance on that unforgettable day only served to enhance his mythical stature. The jersey will be publicly showcased at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland this summer, ahead of the highly anticipated auction scheduled for August 23-25.
This momentous auction not only pays tribute to a crucial piece of sports history but also underscores the escalating demand for top-tier sports memorabilia, drawing in avid collectors and enthusiasts eager to claim a tangible piece of baseball folklore for themselves.
