How much for Babe Ruth’s ‘Called Shot’ jersey at auction?

In a world where the value of history is measured not only by the memories it evokes but also by the millions it can fetch at auction, the legendary jersey Babe Ruth wore during the 1932 World Series is poised to break gruond once again.

This weekend, what might be the most significant piece of sports memorabilia ever seen in the United States will be up for sale at Heritage Auctions, with expectations of surpassing $30 million, according to various experts in the field. The ‘Called Shot’ is more than just an anecdote in the encyclopedias of Major League Baseball. It’s a moment that transcended the diamond, becoming part of the cultural fabric of the United States. Ruth’s iconic gesture – pointing towards the outfield before hitting a 440-foot home run against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field – has been discussed, analyzed, and, for some, even mythologized.

Although the Yankees dominated that Fall Classic, sweeping the series, the 1932 World Series is remembered for the Called Shot and for being the tenth and final World Series in which the Bambino, widely regarded as the most iconic figure in baseball history, featured.

However, the jersey he supposedly wore during that iconic moment is now at the centre of a controversy that could redefine the sports memorabilia market.

Babe Ruth’s MLB treasure under the microscope

The jersey in question has been subjected to multiple analyses. MeiGray, one of the leading companies in photo-matching, has authenticated it, asserting that it is indeed the one Ruth wore during his famous feat. However, Resolution Photomatching, another authority in the field, has raised doubts about the authenticity of the garment that is set to be auctioned. John Robinson, the founder of Resolution, maintains that his company adheres to “the highest standards in photographic comparison,” but this disparity in opinions has placed the jersey under intense scrutiny.

In the world of auctions, where millions of dollars are at stake, certainty is valued as highly as the objects themselves. The uncertainty surrounding the authenticity of the jersey has sparked a debate within the industry: to what extent is doubt acceptable when the value of an item can reach astronomical figures?

For many, the allure of owning a piece of history is irresistible. But when the numbers climb to such heights, risk becomes a critical factor. Can a collector truly be confident that they are acquiring a fragment of baseball’s most legendary moment, or is it possible that the object in question is merely a symbol wrapped in myth?

When is the Babe Ruth ‘Called Shot’ jersey auction?

We’ll find out this weekend when the auction takes place and the final figure spent on an item that, in its time, was seen as nothing more than a dirty shirt is revealed.

This jersey is not an isolated case in the booming market of sports memorabilia, where prices have skyrocketed in recent years. As well as the top items in the table below, a Ruth jersey fetched $4.4 million in 2012, while James Naismith’s original rules of basketball sold for $4.3 million in 2010, and the ball from Mark McGwire’s 70th home run, which went for $3 million in 1999, demonstrate how nostalgia and passion for sports can translate into multimillion-dollar investments.

Other notable mentions go to Wayne Gretzky, his 1988 Stanley Cup Game worn jersey selling for $1.4 million, and Tom Brady, whose jersey worn in his last Super Bowl with the Buccaneers going for $480,000. There was also Lionel Messi’s set of six 2022 World Cup match-worn shirts selling for $7.8 million last December. And less of a player item but important none the less, is the The Olympic Games Manifesto which went for $8.8 million in 2022.

The most expensive player collectibles in history

This phenomenon attracts not only sports enthusiasts but also investors who see these items as an opportunity to diversify their portfolios. In a world where stocks and real estate dominate investment strategies, owning a piece of sports history offers a unique combination of economic and emotional value.

The debate on authenticity

As mentioned above, authenticity is the currency in this market. History has shown that even the slightest doubt can significantly affect an item’s value. In 1999, a Michael Jordan jersey, believed to have been worn during his rookie season, was pulled from auction after questions about its authenticity arose. What was expected to be a record-breaking sale turned into virtually nothing.

In the case of Ruth’s jersey, the divergence in expert opinions could have a significant impact on the auction’s outcome. While MeiGray has given its endorsement, the shadow of doubt cast by Resolution Photomatching may cause potential buyers to think twice before placing their bids.

Beyond the financial aspect, the auction of this jersey also puts Babe Ruth’s legacy and his place in baseball history on the line. The Called Shot is a story that has been told and retold, immortalized in documentaries, books, and the collective memory of baseball fans. The final sale price will only magnify his legend.

“We are 100 percent confident that this jersey is an authentic game-worn Babe Ruth jersey from 1932,” said Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions at Heritage, in an interview with The Athletic. “And we are 100 percent confident that it is the jersey he wore in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series for his ‘Called Shot.’”

The curious history of Babe Ruth’s jersey

The story of how Babe Ruth’s jersey ended up in the hands of collectors is as fascinating as the item itself. It all began in the early 1990s when a well-known collector named Andy Imperato purchased an old Yankees road jersey from a woman in Florida. According to the account, the woman’s father had received the jersey directly from Ruth after a round of golf – a gift that, at the time, was merely a commemorative item from a baseball player, albeit an extraordinary one.

Recognising its potential value, Imperato sold the jersey to another private collector for $150,000. However, the story of the jersey didn’t end there. In 1999, the piece was returned to Grey Flannel Auctions, a house co-founded by Imperato himself. It was advertised as a 1930 Ruth road uniform and sold for $284,000.

Later, it was loaned to the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore, a place that honours the memory of the iconic player. In 2005, the jersey returned to Grey Flannel, where additional research was conducted. It was then that it was promoted as the uniform Ruth wore on October 1, 1932 – the day the Called Shot was etched into the annals of the national pastime.