Babe Ruth 'Called Shot' Jersey Smashes Record, Selling for £19.3 Million
A piece of baseball history has been sold for a record-breaking price. The jersey worn by legendary slugger Babe Ruth when he famously "called his shot" in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series has fetched £19.3 million at auction, shattering the previous record for the most expensive sports collectible.
The New York Yankees road jersey, which had been unavailable to the public for 19 years, was sold by Heritage Auctions, including a standard 20% buyer's premium. The sale eclipses the previous record set in 2022, when a rare mint condition Topps 1952 Mickey Mantle card sold for £10 million. It also surpasses the £8.1 million paid for a Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls jersey from Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals, which was sold at auction in the same year.
The Ruth jersey was last sold at auction in 2005 for £750,000, but at the time, it was only linked to the 1932 World Series, not definitively to Game 3 or the "called shot" incident. However, in recent years, multiple companies have photo-matched the jersey to Game 3 of the World Series at Wrigley Field, significantly increasing its value.
When Heritage announced the jersey's auction in May, Chris Ivy, the company's director of sports auctions, predicted it could fetch upwards of £24 million, stating it was "essentially the Mona Lisa" of sports memorabilia. He confidently asserted that it would set a new record for sports collectibles, noting that "we're still talking about it 100 years later."
Ivy further explained to ESPN that the jersey represents a "mythical moment" that transcends baseball history, crossing into American history and pop culture. He believes it is the most significant piece of sports memorabilia in the world, and this record-breaking sale could spark a renewed interest in sports collecting.
Although the buyer's identity remains undisclosed, Ivy confirmed that a dozen individuals were prepared to pay between £12 and £16 million for the coveted Ruth jersey. He described the clientele as diverse, ranging from legal professionals to team owners, all of whom share a passion for sports history and are drawn to owning such significant pieces.
Barry Meisel, president and COO of MeiGray Authenticated, one of the companies that photo-matched the jersey, said that the "called shot" jersey could be considered "if not be, the most important sports relic in American history, in world history."
The Yankees won Game 3 of the 1932 World Series 7-5 and ultimately swept the Chicago Cubs the following day to claim the championship. This World Series marked Ruth's last, and the "called shot" was his final home run in a World Series.
The sale of the Ruth jersey further underscores the high value of historical sports memorabilia. Other notable recent sales include a photo-matched 1952 and 1953 Mickey Mantle World Series jersey for £2.4 million, a game-worn 1951 Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers jersey for £4.4 million (a record for any Robinson item), and a photo-matched 1954 Hank Aaron jersey for £1.7 million (a record for any Aaron item). A 1911 "Shoeless" Joe Jackson rookie year bat also sold for £1.6 million, setting a record for a baseball bat.
The sale of Babe Ruth's "called shot" jersey stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of this American icon and the fervent demand for pieces of sports history.
