One of the most fabled relics in baseball lore, Babe Ruth’s jersey from the infamous “called shot” incident during the 1932 World Series is poised to command center stage at the upcoming Heritage Auctions. Sporting an estimated value of an eye-watering $30 million, this gray road flannel could potentially clinch the title for the most expensive sports memorabilia ever sold, adding a touch of historical grandeur to any avid collector’s repertoire.
The genesis of the jersey can be traced back almost a century, to a pivotal game at Chicago’s Wrigley Field where Ruth boldly proclaimed his impending home run against the Chicago Cubs. This audacious act has since evolved into a time-honored tale within the annals of baseball, enveloped in an air of enigma and discourse. The jersey’s authenticity as the one donned by Ruth during that iconic game has been bolstered by meticulous photo matching conducted by two reputable companies, further elevating its mystique and monetary worth.
Previously changing hands in 2005 for a substantial sum of $944,000 at Grey Flannel Auctions, the jersey was initially consigned by the daughter of one of Ruth’s close golfing companions. Since its acquisition, the garment has undergone meticulous conservation efforts by the Textile Conservation Workshop to address a tear while preserving its original essence. Its design seamlessly aligns with the style adopted by the Yankees in 1932, cementing its profound historical significance in the world of sports memorabilia.
Chris Ivy, the esteemed Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, underscored the exceptional value of Ruth’s World Series jersey within the realm of sports collectibles: “Ruth’s World Series jersey stands as the epitome of American sports memorabilia to grace the auction block in decades. It is poised to etch its name as the most extravagant sports collectible ever to go under the hammer.”
The prevailing record for the most expensive sports collectible currently rests with a Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps card, which commanded an impressive $12.6 million in 2022, also at Heritage Auctions. Notably, the highest price previously paid for a Ruth jersey stands at $5.6 million, attributing to a circa 1928-1930 model that changed hands through Hunt Auctions at Yankee Stadium back in 2019.
The lineage and distinctive features of Ruth’s “called shot” jersey, including button placements and peculiar stains, have been meticulously scrutinized. These minute details have been pivotal for authenticators like MeiGray, who treat each game-worn jersey as distinct as a fingerprint. This scrupulous attention to detail provides bidders with compelling visual evidence to corroborate the jersey’s illustrious claim to fame.
Ruth’s home run, a seminal moment in baseball history, not only captivated audiences with its theatricality but also birthed a lasting legend in its wake. Despite conflicting narratives surrounding the event, Ruth’s fearless demeanor and exceptional performance on that fateful day only served to deepen his enduring legacy. The jersey is slated to be showcased at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland this summer, leading up to the highly anticipated auction scheduled for August 23-25.
This auction not only commemorates a pivotal juncture in sports history but also spotlights the burgeoning market for high-value sports memorabilia, beckoning collectors and aficionados alike who yearn to grasp a tangible piece of baseball folklore.
