Babe Ruth's 'Called Shot' Jersey Sets Record with $24.1M Auction Sale
In an extraordinary moment for sports memorabilia, Babe Ruth's iconic jersey from the 1932 World Series, when he famously "called his shot," has shattered previous auction records, selling for a staggering $24.1 million (£18.1 million). This sale not only cements the legacy of one of baseball's greatest players but also highlights the enduring fascination with Ruth's remarkable career and the mythology surrounding his "called shot."
The jersey, worn by Ruth during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, is the very same he donned when he pointed towards center field before launching a home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Charlie Root. This gesture has since become one of the most legendary moments in baseball history, symbolizing Ruth's unmatched confidence and prowess. The Yankees went on to win the game 7-5 and swept the series, with this being Ruth’s final home run in a World Series.
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The auction, held by Heritage Auctions, saw the jersey far surpass its previous sale price of $940,000 in 2005, when it was only loosely connected to the 1932 Series. Over time, meticulous research and verification linked the jersey directly to the "called shot" game, significantly boosting its value. The sale eclipsed the previous record for sports memorabilia held by a 1952 Topps baseball card of Mickey Mantle, which sold for $12.6 million in 2022. It also more than doubled the previous record for a sports jersey, set by Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals, which fetched $10.1 million that same year.
Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions at Heritage, aptly described the jersey as "the most significant piece of American sports memorabilia ever offered at auction." He likened its significance to the Mona Lisa in the art world, underscoring its value not just in sports history but in American culture as a whole.
Babe Ruth, who won seven World Series titles during his career—three with the Boston Red Sox and four with the New York Yankees—remains a towering figure in baseball. His transfer from the Red Sox to the Yankees in 1920 is often cited as the beginning of the "Curse of the Bambino," a superstitious explanation for the Red Sox’s 86-year World Series title drought.
The buyer of the record-setting jersey has chosen to remain anonymous, adding an element of mystery to this historic sale. The auction's outcome not only reflects Ruth's enduring appeal but also signifies a growing interest in sports memorabilia as a form of cultural heritage, with the "called shot" jersey now standing as the most expensive piece ever sold in this field.
As we continue to celebrate the centennial of Ruth's career and his contributions to baseball, this sale serves as a reminder of how certain moments transcend sports, becoming etched into the collective memory of a nation. The legacy of Babe Ruth’s “called shot” will undoubtedly continue to inspire and captivate future generations, just as it did nearly a century ago.
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