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A jersey worn by baseball legend Babe Ruth during his legendary "called shot" in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series has sold for an astonishing $24.12 million at auction, setting a new record for the most expensive sports collectible ever.
The auction, conducted by Heritage Auctions, saw the New York Yankees road jersey shatter the previous record of $12.6 million, held by a rare 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card sold in 2022.
The sale also eclipsed the $10.1 million fetched by a Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals.
The jersey's value is tied to one of the most iconic moments in baseball history-Ruth's "called shot" during the 1932 World Series against the Chicago Cubs.
In the famous moment, Ruth pointed to the center field before hitting a home run off Cubs pitcher Charlie Root.
While the jersey was previously linked to the 1932 World Series, recent advancements in photo-matching technology have conclusively connected it to the "called shot" game, significantly increasing its value.
When the jersey last sold at auction in 2005, it fetched $940,000, but its direct connection to the "called shot" was not yet established.
The confirmation of this link, achieved through detailed photo-matching by several companies, has since driven the jersey's value to record-breaking levels.
The Auction and Its Impact
Heritage Auctions had predicted that the jersey would set a new record, with Chris Ivy, the director of sports auctions, likening it to "the Mona Lisa" of sports memorabilia.
"This is essentially the Mona Lisa. It's s a very mythical moment that crosses over not only in baseball history, but American history, pop culture history," Ivy told ESPN.
"We're still talking about it 100 years later, which is one of the reasons why I think it's the most significant piece of sports memorabilia in the world. When it hits that new record, high tide raises all boats. I think more people are going to be interested in this hobby."
The identity of the buyer remains unknown, but Ivy revealed that several potential buyers were willing to spend between $15 and $20 million on the jersey.
The successful auction reflects the growing interest in high-end sports collectibles, with buyers including attorneys and sports team owners eager to own a piece of history.
Babe Ruth's "called shot" is one of the most enduring moments in sports history. The Yankees went on to win the game 7-5 and completed a sweep of the Cubs the following day, securing the 1932 World Series title.
This series marked Ruth's final World Series appearance, with the "called shot" being his last World Series home run.
The record-breaking sale of Ruth's jersey highlights the ever-increasing value of iconic sports memorabilia.
As this market continues to grow, items linked to historic moments, like Ruth's "called shot," are likely to remain highly sought after, preserving the legacy of sports legends for future generations.