Baby Ruth’s 1932 World Series jersey to be auctioned for $30 million

International

Babe Ruth's iconic jersey from the 1932 World Series, worn during his legendary "Called Shot," is set to be auctioned for an estimated $30 million. If sold at this price, it will become the most expensive game-worn jersey ever.

Ruth wore the No. 3 road gray jersey while playing against the Chicago Cubs. In the fifth inning, he gestured toward center field before hitting a home run into the bleachers.

This moment has become one of baseball’s most famous, sparking debates for 92 years about whether he was pointing at a spot in the field or at the Cubs pitcher.

“We’re still talking about the ‘Called Shot’ nearly a century later,” said Chris Ivy, director of Heritage Auctions’ sports division.

“The controversy and mystery keep the story alive. Did Ruth really call the shot? Grainy footage shows him pointing, but it’s unclear where," he added, based on a CNN report.

Journalists, not TV cameras, first reported the event. Sports editor Joe Williams famously compared Ruth's gesture to a billiards game, and Ruth embraced the story.

The auction, set for August 23–25, will also feature other historic sports memorabilia, including a Michael Jordan “Last Dance” Chicago Bulls jersey and a signed, game-used bat from Jackie Robinson.

Jordan’s jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals sold for $10.1 million in 2022, the current record for the most expensive basketball jersey.

Opening bids for Ruth’s jersey have already surpassed $14 million. The jersey has been authenticated twice and matched to photos from Getty Images and The Chicago Daily News showing Ruth with teammate Lou Gehrig and manager Joe McCarthy.

Ruth’s baseball career spanned 22 seasons, during which he hit 714 home runs and won seven World Series titles.

He won three titles with the Boston Red Sox before achieving greater fame with the Yankees. In 1936, he was one of the five inaugural members elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

In 2019, a Babe Ruth jersey from 1928-1930 fetched $5.64 million, breaking the previous record held by another Ruth jersey that sold for $4.4 million.(MyTVCebu)