A shirt once worn by baseball legend Babe Ruth has set a new world record for the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever sold at auction.
The iconic jersey fetched a staggering $24.1 million after a fierce bidding war that lasted for more than six hours.
The online auction, conducted by Heritage Auctions, began in July and attracted significant interest from collectors worldwide.
The identity of the winning bidder remains anonymous.
The Ruth jersey surpassed the previous record of $12.6 million set in August 2022 for a baseball card of Mickey Mantle.
This marks the second time in two years that a sports item has shattered the symbolic $10 million barrier.
Chris Ivy, Heritage’s director of sports, described the Ruth jersey as “the most significant piece of American sports memorabilia ever offered at auction.” The intense bidding, he noted, demonstrated the unwavering belief of collectors in the jersey’s historical importance.
The shirt is renowned for its connection to Babe Ruth’s legendary “called shot” against the Chicago Cubs in the 1932 World Series.
According to the lore, Ruth pointed to the exact location where he intended to hit the ball and subsequently delivered a powerful home run.
The “called shot” is widely regarded as one of the most iconic moments in baseball history. It not only cemented Ruth’s status as a legendary figure but also solidified the Yankees’ dominance in the sport.
The auction of the Ruth jersey represents a significant milestone in the world of sports memorabilia. It underscores the enduring appeal of baseball history and the extraordinary value that collectors place on iconic artifacts.
