This summer, the spotlight in the sports memorabilia world shines on one of baseball’s most iconic artifacts: Babe Ruth’s famed “called shot” jersey from the 1932 World Series. The jersey, with an estimated value of a whopping $30 million, is all set to make history at the Heritage Auctions event.
The jersey’s journey dates back nearly a century to a legendary game at Wrigley Field, where Ruth supposedly predicted his home run against the Chicago Cubs, a moment etched in baseball folklore. Fueled by mystery and debate, the authenticity of Ruth sporting this jersey during the game has been given a stamp of approval through meticulous photo matching by two esteemed companies, adding to its allure and value.
Originally sold in 2005 for $944,000, the jersey was consigned by the daughter of one of Ruth’s golfing buddies. Since then, it has undergone careful conservation work by the Textile Conservation Workshop, mending a tear while retaining its original form. The jersey’s design perfectly aligns with the style worn by the 1932 Yankees, further cementing its historical significance.
Chris Ivy, the Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, emphasized the extraordinary importance of Ruth’s World Series jersey in the realm of sports memorabilia: “Ruth’s World Series jersey is the most significant piece of American sports memorabilia to be offered at auction in decades. It will set a new record as the most expensive sports collectible ever sold.”
The current record for the priciest sports collectible is held by a Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps card, which fetched $12.6 million in a recent Heritage Auctions sale. The highest sum ever paid for a Ruth jersey stands at $5.6 million for a circa 1928-1930 model sold at Yankee Stadium through Hunt Auctions in 2019.
The provenance and unique features of Ruth’s “called shot” jersey, such as button placement and distinct stains, have been meticulously examined. These specifics are crucial for authenticators like MeiGray, who treat each game-worn jersey as unique as a fingerprint. This attention to detail gives bidders solid visual evidence supporting the jersey’s claim to fame.
Ruth’s legendary home run continues to resonate in baseball lore, not just for its theatrics but also for the enduring myth it birthed. Despite varying retellings of the event, Ruth’s boldness and prowess that day only added layers to his legend. The jersey will be showcased at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland this summer before hitting the auction block from August 23-25.
The upcoming auction not only commemorates a pivotal piece of sports history but also shines a light on the burgeoning market for high-end sports memorabilia, attracting collectors and fans eager to possess a slice of baseball history.
