A jersey worn by legendary New York Yankees player Babe Ruth during one of baseball’s most iconic moments sold for an astounding $24.12 million at auction on Sunday, setting a new record for the world’s most valuable sports collectible, CNN reports.
The auction, hosted by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions, featured a thrilling six-hour bidding war that culminated in the record-breaking sale.
The gray road jersey, emblazoned with the number 3, was worn by Ruth when he played against the Chicago Cubs in the 1932 World Series. Infamously known as the “Called Shot,” the moment features Ruth gesturing toward center field just before hitting a fifth-inning home run into the bleachers. Over the past 92 years, the incident has ignited considerable debate among baseball fans and historians about what exactly Ruth was pointing at—whether it was the flagpole or the Cubs pitcher—adding to the intrigue surrounding the event.
“It’s incredible that we’re still discussing this story almost 100 years later. The controversy and mystery surrounding it are what keep the conversation alive,” Chris Ivy, director of Heritage’s sports auctions, said.
He mentioned that while grainy footage exists of the moment, it does not clarify the direction of Ruth’s gesture, leaving the question open to interpretation.
Source: Heritage Auctions/HA.com
The historical moment is also stipulated by the fact that there were no televised baseball games until 1939. Consequently, it was journalists who first reported on the now-famous moment. Sports editor Joe Williams is credited with coining the term “Called Shot,” highlighting the drama of Ruth’s display, and the slugger quickly embraced the narrative.
The auction also featured other prominent sports memorabilia, including a jersey worn by Michael Jordan during his “Last Dance” season with the Chicago Bulls and a signed bat from baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson. Jordan’s jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals previously sold for a record $10.1 million in 2022, becoming the most expensive basketball jersey ever auctioned.
Babe Ruth’s “Called Shot” jersey was authenticated twice and can be matched to photographs showing him alongside teammate Lou Gehrig and manager Joe McCarthy in the dugout. Ivy referred to the jersey as “the most significant piece of American sports memorabilia ever offered at auction,” further highlighting Ruth’s monumental impact on baseball.
Ruth’s illustrious career spanned 22 seasons, during which he amassed a total of 714 home runs and won seven World Series championships. While he is predominantly remembered for his time with the Yankees, he also claimed three World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox. In 1936, Ruth became one of the inaugural five inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Previously, a Babe Ruth jersey from 1928-1930 sold for $5.64 million in 2019, which at that time set the record for the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia sold at auction.
