Babe Ruth’s Historic Jersey Sets World Record with $24 Million Auction Sale
A Babe Ruth jersey, famously worn during one of the most legendary moments in baseball history, has just set a new world record, selling for an astonishing $24.12 million. This sale, conducted by Heritage Auctions in Dallas, now positions the jersey as the most valuable sports collectible ever, surpassing the previous record held by a 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card, which sold for $12.6 million in August 2022.
The jersey, emblazoned with the iconic No. 3, was worn by Ruth during the 1932 World Series against the Chicago Cubs. It was during this game that Ruth purportedly called his shot, pointing to center field before launching a fifth-inning home run into the bleachers. The “Called Shot” has since become one of the most debated and celebrated moments in sports history, shrouded in both legend and mystery. While some claim Ruth pointed to a specific spot, others believe he was taunting the Cubs pitcher, adding to the event’s mystique.
Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions at Heritage, emphasized the enduring legacy of Ruth’s “Called Shot.” He remarked on how nearly a century later, fans and historians alike still discuss and debate what exactly happened during that legendary moment. Grainy footage from the game captures Ruth’s gesture, but the exact target of his point remains unclear, fueling ongoing speculation.
The auction itself was a dramatic affair, with a fierce bidding war that lasted over six hours. Opening bids had already soared past $14 million a week before the auction, and experts had speculated the jersey could fetch as much as $30 million. The winning bid, though shy of that estimate, still shattered previous records, underscoring the immense historical and cultural value of the jersey.
This particular Babe Ruth jersey has been authenticated twice and can be photo-matched to historical images from Getty and The Chicago Daily News, showing Ruth in the dugout with teammates Lou Gehrig and manager Joe McCarthy. Ivy described the “Called Shot” jersey as “the most significant piece of American sports memorabilia ever offered at auction,” a statement that reflects both its historical importance and the fascination it continues to evoke.
Babe Ruth’s career, which spanned 22 seasons and included 714 home runs and seven World Series titles, remains one of the most storied in sports. While Ruth is often associated with the New York Yankees, with whom he achieved much of his fame, he also won three World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox. In 1936, Ruth was among the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, solidifying his place in the annals of sports history.
The sale of this jersey eclipses previous records for sports memorabilia, including another Babe Ruth jersey from 1928-1930, which sold for $5.64 million in 2019. This latest auction not only highlights Ruth’s enduring legacy but also the ever-growing market for iconic sports collectibles.
