Babe Ruth's road gray No. 3 New York Yankees jersey from Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, where he allegedly "called his shot" before hitting a home run, sold for a record $24.12 million at an auction facilitated by Heritage Auctions.
The "Called Shot" moment, when Ruth allegedly called his shot before hitting a home run to center field, is considered one of the greatest moments in baseball history, although its accuracy is debated, with film footage showing him making a gesture after hitting it.
The jersey's value increased after being matched to Ruth's final home run in a World Series and the authentication process, as it was last auctioned in 2005 for $940,000 but not definitively linked to Game 3 or the anticipated home run at that time.
A six-hour bidding war led to the sale of the Ruth jersey at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time, with Heritage Auctions director Chris Ivy comparing it to the Mona Lisa and emphasizing its remarkable value and significance as a piece of American and pop culture history.
After Ruth's "Called Shot," the New York Yankees, for whom Ruth played and won seven World Series titles, went on to sweep the Cubs and win the 1932 World Series.
The auction house director called the jersey the most significant piece of sports memorabilia. Its authenticity was confirmed through photographic matching and unique attributes.
Babe Ruth, who retired in 1935 and is considered one of the best baseball players of all time, described the "called shot" moment as the funniest and proudest in his baseball career.
The auction house expected bids from individuals ranging from attorneys to sports team owners and predicted the Ruth jersey could sell for up to $30 million due to its historical significance.
The identity of the winning bidder remains undisclosed.
Sports memorabilia is seen as a unique investment opportunity.
The previous record for the most expensive sports collectible was a Mickey Mantle 1952 rookie card, graded 9.5, which sold for $12.6 million in August 2022. The jersey's $24.12 million price surpassed this record as well as Michael Jordan's NBA Finals shirt from 1998, which sold for $10.1 million in 2022.
The identity of the winning bidder remains undisclosed.
The buyer chose to remain anonymous.
The jersey was originally discovered in 1990 by a collector who purchased it from a woman in Florida, and it was later sold at auction in 2005 for $940,000 and again in the past for $975,000. The jersey still bears unique stitching and stains, possibly from mustard.
Babe Ruth, also known as "The Great Bambino," is a legendary figure in baseball, having hit 714 home runs and revolutionizing the sport with his exceptional skills and hitting prowess. He grew up in Baltimore, Maryland.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: CBS News, NPR, Washington Post, The Guardian, New York Times, BBC, Washington Times, USA Today, Sky News, Fox Business, New York Post, CBC, TJV News, Breitbart, Daily Caller, El Universal, Noroeste, Irish Times, Terra.