Babe Ruth's iconic 'called shot' jersey, priced at $19,000,000, set to become most expensive memorabilia in sports history

The jersey worn by Babe Ruth during his famous "called shot" has been put up for auction by Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas. It will become the most expensive sports memorabilia, with the opening bid starting at an eye-watering $15 million.

However, the auctioneers are expecting to eventually sell it for double the amount, with the current highest bid standing at over $19 million. The "called shot" is one of the most fabled and debated moments in major league baseball history.

On October 1, 1932, the New York Yankees played the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Game 3 of the World Series. Babe Ruth faced pitcher Charlie Root when he came up to the plate in the fifth inning.

Ruth had reportedly pointed a finger toward the outfield bleachers in the middle of his at-bat before hammering a pitch over the centerfield fence and thereby calling his shot.

“It is the most dramatic moment in World Series history, and it may be the most dramatic moment ever in all of baseball,” according to Michael Gibbons, director emeritus and historian at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore.

Nevertheless, it's widely debated if Ruth was indeed pointing out where he was going to hit the ball.

"We know that he pointed but we don't know if he was pointing to pitcher, toward the players in the Cubs dugout or calling his shot," says Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions at Heritage. "But that mystery is why we're still talking about it almost 100 years later.

"What we do know is that this is the shirt Babe Ruth was wearing on that day," he added.

The Yankees went on to win the game 7-5, with Ruth getting two home runs and four RBIs for the team. They won again the next day and swept the Cubs to claim the World Series title.

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Babe Ruth jersey was auctioned for over $5.6 million in 2019

Historic memorabilia belonging to Babe Ruth always draws massive demand at the auctions.

In 2019, a road jersey the Yankees legend wore from 1928 to 1930 was sold for more than $5.6 million. However, the one currently exhibited by Heritage Auctions is expected to fetch a much larger sum, owing to the special piece of history attached to it.

“When you can tie an item like that to an important figure and their most important moment, that’s what collectors are really looking for,” said Mike Provenzale, the production manager for Heritage’s sports department.

The Bambino hit 15 home runs in the 10 World Series during his storied career, ending up on the winning side on seven occasions. Incidentally, the 1932 series was his final appearance at the Midsummer Classic, and the "called shot" was his final home run in the World Series.