The jersey worn by Babe Ruth during the famous 1932 World Series game, in which he called his shot and hit a home run, was sold at auction for over $24 million. The jersey went for a record-breaking $24.12 million after a six-hour bidding war at Heritage Auctions in Dallas. The buyer has chosen to remain anonymous. Chris Ivy, Heritage’s sports director, described the jersey as the most significant piece of American sports memorabilia ever offered at auction, emphasizing its historical importance and value to collectors. The sale surpassed the previous record set by Mickey Mantle’s 1952 rookie card, which was sold by the same auction house for $12.6 million in 2022.
The “called shot” made by Babe Ruth during the 1932 World Series game is an iconic moment in baseball history. The incident occurred during Game 3 between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. In the fifth inning, Ruth made a pointing gesture before hitting a home run off Cubs pitcher Charlie Root. The Yankees went on to win the game 7-5 and swept the Cubs the following day to win the series. This game was Ruth’s last World Series appearance, and the “called shot” was his final home run in a World Series. The significance of this moment adds to the value and appeal of the jersey as a piece of sports memorabilia.
The jersey given by Babe Ruth to a friend in Florida around 1940 remained in that family for several decades before being sold to a collector in the early 1990s. After changing hands multiple times, the jersey was put up for auction in 2005, fetching $940,000. It was then held in a private collection until being consigned to Heritage Auctions this year. The historical significance of the jersey, coupled with Ruth’s association with it, contributes to its value and appeal to collectors. Despite debate over whether Ruth actually called the shot, footage from the game shows him making a pointing gesture before hitting the home run, supporting the narrative that he predicted the play.
Michael Gibbons, director emeritus and historian at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore, described the “called shot” by Babe Ruth as the most dramatic moment in World Series history and possibly in all of baseball. Gibbons emphasized that the debate over whether Ruth called his shot is supported by video footage from the game showing Ruth making a pointing gesture before hitting the home run. Ruth’s reputation for making predictions and his own assertion that he called the shot add to the authenticity of the moment. The historical context and Ruth’s position as a key figure in Major League Baseball further reinforce the significance of the jersey and the “called shot” incident.
The sale of Babe Ruth’s “called shot” jersey reflects the enduring legacy and appeal of one of baseball’s most iconic moments. The high price paid for the jersey at auction underscores the importance of sports memorabilia connected to legendary figures like Ruth. The historical context of the game, Ruth’s reputation for making bold predictions, and the lasting impact of the “called shot” on baseball history all contribute to the jersey’s value and significance. The buyer’s anonymity and the extensive bidding war that took place during the auction highlight the widespread interest and demand for rare and historically significant sports memorabilia like Babe Ruth’s jersey from the 1932 World Series.
