This summer, baseball enthusiasts and sports memorabilia collectors alike are gearing up for a historic event – the auction of Babe Ruth’s legendary “called shot” jersey. This revered artifact is poised to shatter records, with its estimated value soaring to an impressive $30 million. Steeped in the rich tapestry of baseball history, this gray road flannel holds the potential to become the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever to be procured.
The origins of this jersey can be traced back nearly 92 years to a fateful game at Wrigley Field in 1932. It was during this game that Babe Ruth, in a moment of audacious bravado, purportedly pointed to the outfield before smashing a home run against the Chicago Cubs. This iconic gesture has since been immortalized as the “called shot,” captivating the imagination of baseball aficionados worldwide. The authenticity of Ruth donning this very jersey during that pivotal game has been meticulously corroborated through photo matching by two esteemed companies, elevating its mystique and potential worth.
Having been previously auctioned off in 2005 by Grey Flannel Auctions for a handsome sum of $944,000, the jersey initially belonged to the daughter of one of Ruth’s golfing companions. Following its acquisition, the garment underwent meticulous conservation efforts at the Textile Conservation Workshop. These interventions not only repaired a tear in the fabric but also preserved its original integrity, ensuring that its historical significance remains unscathed. The jersey perfectly aligns with the style worn by the Yankees during their victorious 1932 season, further underscoring its importance in the annals of sports history.
Chris Ivy, the Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, has unequivocally asserted the jersey’s unparalleled significance in the realm of sports memorabilia. He declared, “Ruth’s World Series jersey is the most significant piece of American sports memorabilia to be offered at auction in decades. It will hold the record as the most expensive sports collectible ever to cross the auction block,” emphasizing the gravity of this momentous occasion.
To put into perspective the staggering value this jersey holds, it’s pertinent to note that the current record for the most expensive sports collectible is held by none other than a Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps card, which fetched a remarkable $12.6 million in 2022, also at Heritage Auctions. Previously, the highest sum paid for a Ruth jersey stood at $5.6 million for a circa 1928-1930 model, sold through Hunt Auctions at Yankee Stadium in 2019.
The provenance and distinctive features of Ruth’s “called shot” jersey, including the button placement and specific stains, have been subject to rigorous scrutiny and analysis. Authenticators such as MeiGray have meticulously examined these details, treating each game-worn jersey as a unique entity akin to a fingerprint. Such meticulous attention to detail provides bidders with concrete visual evidence affirming the jersey’s association with that historic moment at Wrigley Field in 1932.
Babe Ruth’s revered home run not only marked a critical juncture in baseball history for its theatrical grandeur but also spawned a lasting legend that continues to captivate fans to this day. Despite differing narratives surrounding the “called shot,” Ruth’s sheer audacity and unparalleled performance that day only served to embellish his already illustrious legacy. The jersey will be prominently showcased at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland later this summer, allowing enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the aura of baseball folklore before the highly anticipated auction commences on August 23-25.
This auction not only signifies a rekindling of a pivotal moment in sports history but also underscores the escalating demand and fervor surrounding high-value sports memorabilia. Collectors and aficionados alike are poised to engage in a spirited bidding war, all vying for the chance to own a tangible piece of baseball history and pay homage to the indelible mark left by the great Babe Ruth.
