This summer, aficionados and enthusiasts of sports memorabilia are in for a treat as one of baseball’s most iconic artifacts takes center stage at Heritage Auctions. The spotlight shines brightly on the jersey Babe Ruth purportedly wore during his legendary “called shot” in the 1932 World Series. This gray road flannel, with an estimated value of $30 million, could potentially smash records as the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever to be auctioned.
The genesis of this storied jersey dates back nearly 92 years to a fateful game at Wrigley Field, where Babe Ruth, in a display of sheer bravado, seemingly predicted his home run against the Chicago Cubs. This moment of audacious flair has since become deeply ingrained in baseball folklore, captivating fans worldwide with its mystery and intrigue. The authentication of Ruth’s connection to this jersey during that monumental game has been significantly bolstered by photo matching conducted by two reputable companies, elevating its significance and allure in the realm of sports memorabilia.
Having been previously auctioned in 2005 by Grey Flannel Auctions for a notable sum of $944,000, the jersey initially descended from the daughter of one of Ruth’s golfing companions. Following its acquisition, the jersey underwent meticulous restoration work by the Textile Conservation Workshop to mend a tear while meticulously preserving its original form. A key validation of its authenticity lies in how perfectly the jersey aligns with the style worn by the Yankees during their victorious 1932 season, cementing its historical importance and uniqueness.
Chris Ivy, the esteemed Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, emphasized the unparalleled significance of Ruth’s World Series jersey in the world of sports memorabilia. He hailed it as a historic piece that is poised to etch its name in the record books as the most valuable sports collectible ever to grace an auction platform.
As the countdown to the auction commences, all eyes are on the current record holder for the most expensive sports collectible, a Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps card that fetched a staggering $12.6 million at Heritage Auctions in 2022. The pinnacle price ever paid for a Ruth jersey stands at $5.6 million for a circa 1928-1930 model, a benchmark established through Hunt Auctions at Yankee Stadium in 2019.
The meticulous scrutiny of Ruth’s “called shot” jersey, delving into intricate details such as the placement of buttons and specific stains, plays a pivotal role in affirming its authenticity. Authenticators like MeiGray leave no stone unturned in their comprehensive analysis of each game-used jersey, treating each individual wear and tear as a distinctive marker akin to a fingerprint. This diligent attention to detail provides firm visual validation for potential bidders, reinforcing the jersey’s claims to fame within the annals of sports history.
The legacy of Ruth’s home run transcends mere statistics, encapsulating a seminal moment in baseball lore that continues to captivate generations. Despite the varying narratives surrounding the famous “called shot,” Ruth’s boldness and unparalleled prowess on that historic day only served to further solidify his status as a true legend of the game. The jersey is scheduled to make a grand appearance at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland this summer, in anticipation of the highly-anticipated auction dates set for August 23-25.
This upcoming auction not only commemorates a pivotal moment in sports history but also underscores the burgeoning market for high-value sports memorabilia, drawing in avid collectors and aficionados eager to possess a tangible piece of baseball’s rich tapestry of legends.
