A record-breaking $24.12 million was paid for Babe Ruth’s jersey from the 1932 World Series, establishing it as the world’s most valuable sports collectible. This surpasses the previous record held by a 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card, which sold for $12.6 million in August 2022.
The auction, conducted by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions, featured a six-hour bidding war that culminated in this record-setting sale. Ruth wore the gray No. 3 jersey during the famed “Called Shot” game against the Chicago Cubs. In the fifth inning of that game, Ruth appeared to gesture toward center field before hitting a home run, a moment that has become legendary in baseball history. The exact target of Ruth’s gesture remains a topic of debate.
Chris Ivy of Heritage Auctions noted the enduring intrigue surrounding the “Called Shot,” highlighting the controversy and mystery that continue to spark discussions nearly a century later. Although grainy footage captures Ruth’s gesture, it doesn’t definitively reveal where he was pointing.
Before baseball games were televised, journalists like Joe Williams were responsible for reporting such events. Williams’ headline likened Ruth’s gesture to a billiards shot, a narrative Ruth soon embraced. The auction also featured other memorabilia, including Michael Jordan’s “Last Dance” jersey and a signed bat from Jackie Robinson.
The Ruth jersey had already received bids exceeding $14 million before the auction. Heritage Auctions had projected it might reach $30 million. Authenticated twice, the jersey is photo-matched to images of Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe McCarthy. Ivy described it as the most renowned piece of American sports memorabilia ever auctioned. Ruth’s illustrious career, including 714 home runs and seven World Series titles, underscores the historic value of the jersey.