Babe Ruth, one of the most legendary figures in baseball history, continues to make headlines nearly a century after his career. His New York Yankees jersey, famously worn during the “called shot” home run in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, is poised to become the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever sold. Currently, the jersey is listed at Heritage Auction with a bid of $15.1 million, but experts predict the final sale price could exceed $20 million when bidding concludes on Saturday.
If the jersey sells for over $20 million, it would not only set a new record but also nearly double the previous record of $10.1 million, held by Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls jersey from Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals.
The Debate Over Authenticity
Despite the excitement surrounding this historic auction, there is some controversy over the authenticity of Ruth’s jersey. John Robinson, the owner of Resolution Photomatching, was approached in March 2019 by a New Jersey man seeking to confirm the jersey’s validity. After conducting a thorough three-round research process, Robinson declared that the jersey did not meet their standards for a match.
However, Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions at Heritage, remains unwavering in his confidence. “We’re 100 percent confident that this jersey is an authentic 1932 Babe Ruth game-worn jersey,” Ivy stated, adding that it was the same jersey Ruth wore during his iconic “called shot.”
Supporting Ivy’s stance, MeiGray, a respected photomatching authentication service, has provided what they call the “most ironclad assurance of authenticity.” Jim Montague, MeiGray’s vice president of authentication, highlighted specific details, such as the unique positioning of the “Y” on the jersey, which were meticulously hand-stitched, making it nearly impossible to replicate exactly. These unique characteristics, according to Montague, are what set this jersey apart and confirm its authenticity.
The Legacy of the ‘Called Shot’
The 1932 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs is one of the most famous in baseball history, largely because of Babe Ruth’s legendary “called shot.” Although there has been ongoing debate about whether Ruth actually called his home run, there is no question that he pointed before hitting a homer that put the Yankees ahead 5-4. The Yankees went on to sweep the Cubs, securing their first World Series title since 1928.
This jersey represents not only a piece of baseball history but also a symbol of Ruth’s enduring legacy. As the final World Series appearance in Ruth’s illustrious career, it holds immense sentimental and historical value. With the auction drawing to a close, the sports memorabilia world eagerly awaits to see if this jersey will indeed break records and become the most expensive piece of game-worn sports history.
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