Historic Babe Ruth Jersey Sells for Record-Breaking News $24.12 Million
In a remarkable auction held early Sunday morning, a New York Yankees jersey purportedly worn by Babe Ruth during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series sold for an astounding $24.12 million at a Heritage Auction. This sale shattered the previous record for the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia in history.
The Legendary Jersey and Its Journey
The road jersey, which multiple sources have photo-matched to the legendary Game 3 at Wrigley Field, holds a significant place in baseball history. Ruth hit two home runs during this game, including the controversial and often-debunked “called shot.” However, the jersey’s authenticity has been a topic of debate, as one leading photomatching company failed to “match” the jersey despite multiple attempts over the years. This sparked a conversation about its authenticity before the auction.
From Modest Beginnings to a Record-Breaking News Sale
This iconic piece began its journey around 1990 when a well-known collector in Florida discovered it. The collector purchased the jersey from a woman who claimed her father had received it from Ruth after a round of golf. Initially, the jersey was sold to another private collector for $150,000.
In 1999, the jersey was consigned to Grey Flannel Auctions, where it was advertised as a 1930 Ruth road uniform and sold for $284,000. It was later loaned to the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore. When the jersey returned to Grey Flannel in 2005, the company conducted further research, leading to its advertisement as the uniform Ruth wore on October 1, 1932, the day of the infamous “called shot.”
A Piece of History
This historic sale cements Babe Ruth’s enduring legacy and highlights the ever-growing value of sports memorabilia. The $24.12 million price tag reflects the deep reverence fans and collectors have for iconic moments in sports history, making this jersey one of the most treasured artifacts in baseball.
The previous record for sports memorabilia was held by the auction of a rare mint condition 1952 Topps baseball card of Mickey Mantle, which sold for $12.6 million in 2022. The most expensive jersey sold at auction before Ruth’s was a Michael Jordan jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals, which fetched $10 million in 2022.