The Sultan of Swat is still the greatest in 2024, and a piece of his baseball history has set a new benchmark in the world of sports memorabilia.
The New York Yankees road jersey worn by Babe Ruth during his legendary “called shot” in the 1932 World Series has sold for an astonishing $24.12 million at Heritage Auctions in Dallas.
This sale obliterates previous records, nearly doubling the $12.6 million paid for a 1952 Mickey Mantle Topps card in 2022. It also far surpasses the $10.1 million fetched by Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey, previously the most expensive game-worn sports jersey.
The jersey’s legend adds to its mystique. Ruth reportedly gave it to a golfing friend in Florida around 1940. It changed hands in the early 1990s and sold for $940,000 in 2005.
Recent photo-matching has definitively linked it to Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, enhancing its historical significance.
The “called shot” remains one of baseball’s most debated moments. During Game 3 at Wrigley Field, Ruth allegedly pointed to the outfield before hitting a home run off Charlie Root. Whether he was predicting the homer or responding to Cubs’ taunts remains disputed, but the moment has become ingrained in baseball lore.
Chris Ivy, Heritage Auctions’ director of sports auctions, likened the jersey to “the Mona Lisa,” emphasizing its importance in American history and pop culture. The authentication process was rigorous, with multiple third-party companies photo-matching the jersey to images from before and after the famous game.
This record-breaking sale underscores the enduring fascination with Babe Ruth and the mythical status of his “called shot.” As Ivy noted, “We’re still talking about it 100 years later,” a testament to Ruth’s lasting impact on baseball and American culture.