This summer, the spotlight of the sports memorabilia world is shining bright on one of baseball’s most revered artifacts – Babe Ruth’s famous “called shot” jersey from the 1932 World Series. With an eye-watering estimated value of $30 million, this gray road flannel holds the potential to claim the title of the most expensive sports memorabilia ever sold when it goes under the hammer at Heritage Auctions.
The jersey’s rich history can be traced back to a pivotal moment nearly 92 years ago at Wrigley Field when Ruth supposedly pointed to the center field bleachers, predicting his game-changing home run against the Chicago Cubs. This iconic gesture has woven itself into the fabric of baseball folklore, veiled in intrigue and discussion. Supported by meticulous photo-matching analysis from two separate companies, the jersey’s authenticity in relation to that historic game has been notably bolstered, further augmenting its allure and value.
Originally auctioned by Grey Flannel Auctions in 2005 for $944,000, the jersey was first consigned by the daughter of one of Ruth’s golfing companions. It has since undergone careful restoration by the skilled hands at the Textile Conservation Workshop, addressing a tear while preserving the garment’s original essence. The jersey’s design perfectly aligns with the style worn by the Yankees in 1932, cementing its historical importance and significance in the realm of sports memorabilia.
Chris Ivy, the Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, emphasized the unparalleled status of Ruth’s World Series jersey, dubbing it as the most pivotal piece of American sports memorabilia to grace the auction realm in decades. Ivy noted that this jersey is poised to set a record as the most expensive sports collectible ever to be auctioned off.
The current title holder for the most expensive sports collectible is a Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps card, which fetched a staggering $12.6 million at Heritage Auctions in 2022. On the other hand, the record for the priciest Ruth jersey stands at $5.6 million for a circa 1928-1930 model, sold through Hunt Auctions at Yankee Stadium in 2019.
Meticulous scrutiny has been applied to the provenance and distinctive features of Ruth’s “called shot” jersey, including the positioning of buttons and specific stains, critical aspects that have undergone detailed examination. Authenticators like MeiGray place immense importance on these unique characteristics, treating each game-worn jersey as distinct as a fingerprint, providing prospective bidders with concrete visual evidence to bolster the jersey’s legendary status.
Ruth’s legendary home run isn’t just a moment frozen in time; it represents a pivotal chapter in baseball lore, adding to the mystique that surrounds the Great Bambino. Despite conflicting interpretations of the famed “called shot,” Ruth’s boldness and on-field prowess that day only contributed to his larger-than-life persona. The jersey is slated to be exhibited at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland this summer, ahead of the much-anticipated auction scheduled for August 23-25.
Beyond commemorating a crucial slice of sports history, this auction signifies the escalating demand and market value of high-end sports memorabilia, attracting a wave of eager collectors and enthusiasts looking to lay claim to a piece of baseball’s storied past.