The visiting jersey worn by Babe Ruth during the ‘called home run’ was auctioned for the first time in 19 years
In what may be the most highly anticipated sports memorabilia auction ever, the jersey worn by baseball legend Babe Ruth when he famously “called the home run” during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series sold for $24.12 million through Heritage Auctions, establishing a new auction record for the most expensive sports collectible item.
The sale of Ruth’s away jersey from the New York Yankees, which includes a standard buyer’s premium of 20 percent, was made available to the public for the first time in 19 years.
The previous record for any sports collectible sold at auction was held by a rare, mint-condition 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card, which fetched $12.6 million in 2022. Ruth’s jersey also greatly surpassed the $10.1 million achieved by a Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls jersey from Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals, sold at auction that same year.
The last time Ruth’s jersey was auctioned was in 2005, when it sold for $940,000; however, that sale was only related to the 1932 World Series and did not definitively link to Game 3 or the “called shot,” during which Ruth gestured with his finger while at bat and then hit a home run to center field off the Yankees’ pitcher, Chicago Cubs Charlie Root. In recent years, several companies have made comparisons linking the jersey to Game 3 of the World Series at Wrigley Field, significantly boosting its value.
When Heritage announced the auction for the jersey in May, Chris Ivy, the director of sports auctions at Heritage Auctions, predicted it could sell for over $30 million and was confident it would set a new record in sports collecting.
“This is essentially the Mona Lisa. It’s a very mythic moment that transcends not just baseball history, but American history and pop culture,” Ivy told ESPN. “We’re still discussing it 100 years later, which is one of the reasons I believe it’s the most important piece of sports memorabilia in the world. When you hit a new record, a rising tide lifts all boats. I think more people will become interested in the hobby.”
Although the identity of the buyer remains undisclosed, Ivy mentioned to ESPN that there were about a dozen individuals on their mailing list willing to pay between $15 million and $20 million for Ruth’s jersey.
“This item serves as a great conversation starter compared to, say, purchasing more IBM stock or investing in real estate—many feel they have already maxed out on those options,” Ivy said. “(The clientele) is diverse, ranging from lawyers to team owners. Team owners are particularly interesting; they appreciate the history of the game and take pleasure in owning items like this. They have invested a significant amount of time and resources into their sports ventures.”
Barry Meisel, president and chief operating officer of MeiGray Authenticated, one of the companies involved in the jersey’s coordination, stated: “A ‘Called Home Run’ Babe jersey could possibly represent the most significant sports relic in American history, if not in world history.”
The Yankees won the game 7-5 and completed a sweep of the Cubs the following day to claim the series.
This marked Ruth’s final World Series, and the “called home run” was his last home run in a World Series, as noted by Mike Provenzale, the production manager for Heritage’s sports department, in his conversation with The Associated Press.
A t-shirt worn by Mickey Mantle from the 1952 and 1953 World Series sold for $3 million. A game-worn jersey from Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951, paired with 1950 pants, sold for $5.52 million, a record for any Jackie Robinson item. Additionally, a 1954 jersey worn by Hank Aaron during his rookie season, which potentially featured his first at-bat, sold for $2.1 million, also a record for any Aaron item.
A rookie bat belonging to Joe Jackson ‘Shoeless’ from 1911 sold for $2.01 million, including the buyer’s premium, setting the record for a baseball bat.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.
The Visiting Jersey in Which Babe Ruth Hit the ‘Called Home Run’ Was Available for Auction for the First Time in 19 Years
In perhaps the most anticipated sports memorabilia auction in history, the jersey worn by baseball legend Babe Ruth when he “called the home run” in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series sold for an astounding $24.12 million with Heritage Auctions. This transaction has set an auction record for the most expensive sports collectible item, elevating Ruth’s already legendary status in sports history.
The jersey auctioned was the one Babe Ruth wore during his final World Series, where he hit his last home run. The sale of Ruth’s away jersey, a renowned piece of New York Yankees history, included the standard 20 percent buyer’s premium, making it publicly available for the first time in 19 years.
Previous Auction Records and Historical Context
The previous record for any sports collectible sold at auction was for a rare, mint-condition 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card, which fetched $12.6 million in 2022. Ruth’s jersey far eclipsed the $10.1 million that a Michael Jordan jersey from Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals sold for at auction the same year.
The last auction of Ruth’s jersey occurred in 2005, where it sold for $940,000. However, this earlier auction was related only to the 1932 World Series without conclusive evidence linking it to Game 3 or the iconic “called shot,” when Ruth made a finger gesture while at bat and subsequently hit a home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Charlie Root. Recent validations by several companies have compared this jersey with Game 3 of the World Series at Wrigley Field, dramatically increasing its perceived value.
Anticipation and Auction Details
When Heritage Auctions announced the jersey was up for bidding in May, Chris Ivy, Heritage Auctions’ director of sports auctions, speculated that it could fetch more than $30 million, virtually guaranteeing it would establish a new sports collecting record.
“This is essentially the Mona Lisa. It’s a very mythic moment that spans not only baseball history, but American history, pop culture history,” Ivy stated in an interview with ESPN. “We’re still talking about it 100 years later, which is one of the reasons I think it’s the most important piece of sports memorabilia in the world.”
Who Was Interested in the Auction?
Although the identity of the buyer remains undisclosed, Ivy shared insights that there were at least a dozen individuals “on our mailing list who would pay $15 to $20 million” for Ruth’s legendary jersey. Interest in this unique collectible extends to a wide range of clientele.
Who Buys Famous Sports Memorabilia?
- Lawyers and legal professionals who appreciate the historical value.
- Team owners passionate about owning pieces of their sport’s history.
- Investors looking for alternative assets beyond traditional investments.
According to Barry Meisel, the president and chief operating officer of MeiGray Authenticated, one of the companies involved in coordinating the auction, he mentioned that a “Called Home Run” Babe Ruth jersey could be, if not the most important sports relic in American history, possibly in world history.
Historical Significance of the ‘Called Home Run’
The Yankees won that pivotal game against the Cubs 7-5 and swept the series the next day, securing the championship. The 1932 World Series marked Ruth’s final appearance in this prestigious tournament and the “called home run” was his last in a World Series.
Other Notable Sports Memorabilia Sales
During the same auction, other significant items were sold, highlighting the booming market for sports memorabilia:
| Item | Sale Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mickey Mantle T-Shirt | $3 Million | A piece from the 1952 and 1953 World Series. |
| Jackie Robinson Jersey | $5.52 Million | A game-worn 1951 jersey, a record for any Jackie Robinson item. |
| Hank Aaron 1954 Jersey | $2.1 Million | Worn during his rookie season, possibly his first at-bat. |
| Joe Jackson Bat | $2.01 Million | A rookie bat from 1911; set a record for a baseball bat. |
This latest auction reaffirms the growing interest in sports memorabilia, as collectors seek unique pieces with rich histories tied to some of sports’ greatest legends. With the value of such items on the rise, more individuals are discovering the joy of collecting sports history.
The influence of Babe Ruth on baseball and American culture continues to resonate, ensuring that items like his ‘called home run’ jersey will not only be cherished collectors’ items but also serve as timeless links to the past.
