Key Takeaways:
– The famous road-gray Yankees jersey worn by Babe Ruth is expected to be auctioned for over $30 million.
– The jersey, linked to Ruth’s “Called Shot,” is considered the most significant piece of sports memorabilia in the US.
– The authentication firm MeiGray has photo-matched the jersey to the one Ruth wore during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series.
– A bat used by Ruth was sold for a record $1.85 million in April 2023, thanks to photo-matching procedures.
– Director of Heritage Auctions, Chris Ivy, has described the jersey as “the most significant sports collectible that has ever come up for auction.”
Babe Ruth’s Historic Jersey Set to Break Records
In a nod to sporting history, the iconic road-gray Yankees jersey worn by baseball legend Babe Ruth is tipped to create a sensation at the auction block. The jersey, scheduled for auction at Heritage Auctions from August 23rd-25th, 2024, is rumored to smash all previous records. Bidders and sports fans anticipate that the famously known Ruth-worn sweater could fetch a staggering sum in excess of $30 million.
Revisiting the Called Shot Legend
Adding more intrigue to the auction is the jersey’s connection to one of Ruth’s most famous baseball feats: the “Called Shot.” According to lore, during the fifth inning of the third game of the 1932 World Series against the Chicago Cubs, Ruth aimed his bat towards the center field stands before hitting a home run to that exact spot. This event, cemented by the likes of Lou Gehrig and Ruth himself, has been retold countless times, becoming an integral part of American baseball history.
Establishing the Authenticity
The question of authenticity surrounding this particular piece of memorabilia has been tackled by MeiGray, a recognized sports memorabilia and auction site. Utilizing evolved methods such as photo-matching authentication and historical research, MeiGray has confidently matched this jersey to the one Ruth wore during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series.
Barry Meisel, president and COO of MeiGray, explained that the Yankees during Ruth’s time would order three road grays and three home whites per year, carrying one over to the next season. Using this information, alongside tag specifications from the jersey’s manufacturer, Spalding, supported the photo-matching process.
Breaking Records
Earlier, a Babe Ruth-used bat sold for a whopping $1.85 million in 2023 at an auction due to the advancements of photo-matching procedures. However, this pales in comparison to the currently highest sold sports collectible – a near-flawless 1952 Mickey Mantle card that fetched $12.6 million in 2022. Ruth’s Jersey is expected to surpass both these records and possibly reach or exceed $30 million, as indicated by Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions at Heritage Auctions.
In the lens of sports history, the upcoming auction of Babe Ruth’s historic jersey represents an unparalleled opportunity for collectors across the globe. As we await the gavel to fall, it remains to be seen just how high the price of this incomparable piece of memorabilia will rise.