Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series ‘called shot’ jersey has sold for over $24 million, marking a significant moment in sports history. The iconic garment, worn during a legendary game where Ruth famously pointed to center field before hitting a home run, fetched a staggering $24.12 million at auction early Sunday.
According to Heritage Auctions, the bidding for the New York Yankees star’s jersey lasted more than six hours in Dallas, resulting in a record-breaking sale. The identity of the buyer remains undisclosed, as stated by the auction house.
This remarkable sale surpassed the previous record held by a Mickey Mantle 1952 rookie card, which sold for $12.6 million in 2022, also through Heritage Auctions.
Chris Ivy, the director of sports at Heritage, described the jersey as “the most significant piece of American sports memorabilia ever offered at auction.” He emphasized that the intense bidding demonstrated the collectors’ recognition of the jersey’s historical importance.
“The legend of Babe Ruth and the myth surrounding his ‘called shot’ converge in this extraordinary artifact,” Ivy remarked, highlighting its cultural significance.
The famed ‘called shot’ occurred on October 1, 1932, during Game 3 of the World Series at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. In a pivotal fifth inning, Ruth pointed while at bat, subsequently hitting a home run off Cubs pitcher Charlie Root, a moment that has been debated for decades.
The Yankees triumphed in that game with a score of 7-5 and went on to sweep the Cubs, clinching the series. This match marked Ruth’s final World Series appearance, as well as his last home run in the championship.
Mike Provenzale, production manager for Heritage’s sports department, noted, “When you tie an item to an important figure and their defining moment, that’s what collectors seek.” This jersey, with its rich history, embodies that connection.
The jersey’s journey began when Ruth gifted it to a golfing friend in Florida around 1940. It remained in that family for years before being sold to a collector in the early 1990s. It later sold for $940,000 at auction in 2005 and stayed in a private collection until recently consigned to Heritage.
Debate continues over whether Ruth truly called his shot. Gibbons, a sports historian, pointed to home movie footage from the game showing Ruth’s gesture, though the specifics of whom or what he was pointing at remain unclear. Nonetheless, Ruth had a reputation for making bold predictions, and he claimed to have called his shot.
“We believe he did call his shot,” Gibbons stated confidently.
Newsreel footage captures Ruth as he rounds the bases, gesturing toward the Cubs bench, a moment that many interpret as a triumphant declaration of his prowess.
The ‘called shot’ remains an extraordinary highlight from a player revered as “the standard-bearer for all of Major League Baseball,” according to Gibbons.
Gibbons reflected on Ruth’s impact, stating, “He was a source of positivity and excitement for this country, culminating in the moment he called his shot.”
