This summer, an iconic piece of baseball history, the jersey Babe Ruth is believed to have worn during his famous “called shot” home run in the 1932 World Series, will be auctioned by Heritage Auctions. With an estimated value set at an impressive $30 million, this piece could set a new record for the most expensive sports memorabilia item ever sold.
The legend of Ruth’s called shot, where he allegedly predicted his home run at Wrigley Field, has captivated baseball fans and historians for nearly a century. The jersey’s connection to this moment adds immeasurable value and intrigue. Recent photo matching by two professional services has linked this particular gray road flannel jersey directly to that legendary game, further enhancing its appeal to potential buyers.
Previously auctioned in 2005 for $944,000 by Grey Flannel Auctions, the jersey came from the family of a close acquaintance of Ruth. Since then, it has been carefully preserved, undergoing only necessary conservation work to maintain its integrity. Authenticators have meticulously analyzed features such as the jersey's button placement and fabric wear, matching them to photographs of Ruth from the 1932 series, confirming its authenticity.
Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, expressed the significance of this auction, stating, “Ruth’s World Series jersey is the most significant piece of American sports memorabilia to be offered at auction in decades,” predicting that it “will hold the record as the most expensive sports collectible ever to cross the auction block.”
The current record for a piece of sports memorabilia is held by a Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps card, which fetched $12.6 million in 2022, also through Heritage Auctions. The highest price previously paid for a Ruth jersey was $5.6 million for a model from around 1928-1930, sold in 2019.
The authentication process for Ruth’s jersey included detailed analysis by MeiGray, which considers each game-worn jersey unique, much like a fingerprint. This rigorous verification process provides bidders with confidence in the jersey’s documented history and its connection to one of baseball’s most storied moments.
Ruth’s performance during that fateful game—hitting two home runs against the Chicago Cubs, with the second being the so-called "called shot"—only solidified his status as a baseball legend. The jersey will be displayed at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland this summer before the auction, which is scheduled for August 23-25.
This auction represents not only a pivotal moment in sports history but also highlights the booming interest and financial investment in sports memorabilia. Collectors and enthusiasts will have the opportunity to own a tangible piece of baseball lore that continues to fuel debates and fascinate fans around the world.