Babe Ruth ‘called shot’ jersey to be auctioned
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Dan Hajducky, ESPN
The jersey worn by New York Yankees slugger Babe Ruth when he “called his shot” in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series will go up for auction in August, Heritage Auctions announced Tuesday.
The sale of the road gray Ruth jersey, available to the public for the first time in 19 years, is expected to set a record for a sports collectible at auction, where it could fetch upward of $30 million, according to Chris Ivy, Heritage Auctions’ director of sports auctions. The auction is set for Aug. 23-25.
The jersey last sold for $940,000 in 2005 with Grey Flannel Auctions. At that time, it was dated to the 1932 season and purported to be from that year’s series. But the jersey has now been photo-matched by MeiGray Authenticated as the one Ruth wore in Game 3.
“There were a couple of things that helped [this jersey] stand out from previous seasons,” said Jim Montague, MeiGray’s vice president of authentication. “How the Y was positioned on the front of the jersey in relationship to the buttons and the placket on the jersey. Back then, everything was hand-stitched on. There are seamstresses putting names and numbers and stitching the collar, stitching of the names in the collar, they’re doing it by hand. When you see certain placements, you have [something] unique. They’re not doing it the same two times in a row.”
Ruth’s supposed “called shot” came during the fifth inning of Game 3 in the 1932 World Series — Ruth’s 10th and final Fall Classic — against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. With the score tied 4-4, Ruth stepped to the plate and pointed; whether he intended to point at pitcher Charlie Root, to the Cubs’ dugout or to the outfield remains a matter of historical uncertainty. But on a Root curveball, he clubbed a four-bagger an estimated 440 feet to center (in some reports it balloons to 490), immortalized henceforth as Ruth’s legendary “called shot.”
The 1995 Grey Flannel Auctions listing reads: “Every expert is in agreement that this jersey is authentic and 100% original in every respect […] not one of these experts can definitively say that it is not Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series jersey.”
Ivy called it a “one-of-a-kind item, the most significant sports collectible that’s ever come up for auction.” He said he wouldn’t be surprised if it exceeds $30 million.
Barry Meisel, MeiGray’s president and COO, said in addition to the photo-matching process, the firm researched how many jerseys the Yankees ordered around that time.
“The Yankees ordered three road grays and three home whites over an entire year and carried one over into the following year,” Meisel said. “And the nuances Spalding put on its company tag, or in the collar of the shirt, you start to determine, ‘Could this have been worn in 1932? Was it worn in 1935?’ Sometimes we say: ‘This is a Babe Ruth jersey, but you can’t focus on a specific event.’ But we’re confident we’ve proven it’s the real deal.”
Montague said photography from Game 3 of the 1932 World Series aligned with nuances of Ruth’s New York Yankees jersey. He pointed out a small notch in the “N” in “NEW YORK” — “almost as if [it] wasn’t completely straight.” The top of the “W,” he said, “had this curve as opposed to a flat edge; other images we saw [from other years] had a flat edge.” The “E,” he said, “had a sort of bend at the bottom.”
This isn’t the first time that photo-matching could increase the potential value of a sports collectible, let alone the first time in recent memory with a Ruth item. In April 2023, a Babe Ruth bat that sold for $400,800 in 2018 resold for $1.85 million, a record for a baseball bat, after “photographic corroboration.”
“MeiGray’s philosophy is every game-worn jersey is like a fingerprint,” Meisel said. “No two fingerprints are alike, we believe no two jerseys are alike when you look at the hand-stitching, the placement of names, numbers, letters on the shirt, where and how the buttons are attached. When you do forensic research with resources that are necessary, actual photos of the shirt, you can make the determinations that we made in this case with the Babe Ruth Called Shot jersey.”
Ivy acknowledged the improbability of the jersey still existing.
“This Ruth jersey had no intrinsic value at the time; it was just a dirty old baseball shirt when Ruth was wearing it in 1932,” he said. “A lot of this stuff was lost to time. Jerseys were sent down to the minor leagues or worn in practice until they fell apart and then were thrown away. The fact that this piece has made it for 90-plus years and it represents one of the most significant moments of not only Babe Ruth’s career but the history of this sport that’s interwoven with the fabric of America, that’s pretty cool.”
The current record for any sports collectible is the $12.6 million spent on the near-perfect 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card in August 2022. The record for any piece of sports memorabilia is the $10.1 million spent on a jersey Michael Jordan wore in Game 1 of the 1998 “Last Dance” NBA Finals.
Ivy said the bidding floor will be $7.5 million, making the Ruth jersey one of the most expensive sports collectibles ever with one bid. He said Heritage Auctions plans to display the jersey at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland in late July along with previews in their New York City and Palm Beach offices in early August, among other promotional plans.
Ivy noted that the great pieces of vintage collectibles have folklore that collectors and fans debate: the printing press/likeness back-and-forth of the T206 Honus Wagner or the water-bound dumping of 1952 Topps Mickey Mantles. Ruth calling or not calling his shot might never be known, but its intrigue lies in that elusiveness.
“That’s what takes this jersey to the next level,” Ivy said. “It’s connected to a great moment in American sports history, not to mention a World Series, and it’s one of the most debated topics in the last 100 years.”
The 2025-26 MLB hot stove was lit just days after the Los Angeles Dodgers hoisted their second consecutive World Series championship trophy.
All eyes this winter are on a free agent hitting class featuring Kyle Tucker, Kyle Schwarber (who is returning to the Phillies on a five-year deal), Cody Bellinger, Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso. But they’re not the only ones who will make a splash in the market.
Which teams will go big to contend for the 2026 World Series title? And who will make the trades and signings that have everyone buzzing?
Below is a running list of notable transactions and updates from throughout the MLB offseason.
Key links: Offseason grades | Top 50 free agents | Fantasy spin | Best fits
Notable MLB offseason transactions
Dec. 9
Closer Edwin Diaz and the Dodgers are in agreement on a three-year, $69 million deal, sources tell ESPN.
Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a five-year, $150 million contract, sources told ESPN, reuniting the National League home run leader with the team he has played for the past four seasons.
Dec. 8
Left-hander Steven Matz and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a two-year contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN.
Free agent pitcher Michael Soroka and the Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement on a one-year deal, pending a physical, sources tell ESPN.
Dec. 6
The Washington Nationals traded left-hander Jose Ferrer to the Seattle Mariners for top catching prospect Harry Ford and minor league pitcher Isaac Lyon, the teams announced Saturday.
Dec. 4
The Boston Red Sox acquired right-hander Johan Oviedo from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a five-player trade that sent heralded outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia to Pittsburgh, the teams announced Thursday.
Dec. 3
Outfielder Cedric Mullins has agreed to a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to multiple reports.
Free agent closer Emilio Pagan has agreed to return to the Cincinnati Reds on a $20 million, two-year contract, according to multiple reports.
World Series hero Miguel Rojas is returning to the Dodgers in 2026, for what will be his final season in the major leagues, sources told ESPN. The infielder agreed to terms on a one-year, $5.5 million deal, after which he will be assisting the front office and helping in player development.
Left-handed reliever Sam Hentges and the San Francisco Giants agreed to a $1.4 million, one-year contract.
Left-hander Anthony Kay and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $12 million contract with a club option for a third season, sources told ESPN.
Dec. 2
Right-hander Cody Ponce, who won KBO MVP honors last season, and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a three-year, $30 million contract, sources told ESPN
Former KBO pitcher Ryan Weiss is in agreement with the Houston Astros on a one-year contract that guarantees him $2.6 million, sources told ESPN.
Right-hander Alek Manoah and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a one-year, $1.95 million contract, a source tells ESPN.
Dec. 1
Reliever Devin Williams and the New York Mets are in agreement on a three-year contract that guarantees more than $50 million, sources tell ESPN.
Nov. 29
Closer Ryan Helsley and the Baltimore Orioles agreed on a two-year contract that includes an opt-out after the first season.
Nov. 26
Right-hander Dylan Cease and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed on a seven-year, $210 million contract.
Nov. 25
The Boston Red Sox acquired veteran right-hander Sonny Gray in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Nov. 23
The New York Mets and Texas Rangers agreed to a trade that would send second baseman Marcus Semien to the Mets and outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers.
Nov. 21
The Chicago Cubs and right-handed reliever Phil Maton agreed on a two-year deal.
The Giants acquired outfielder Joey Wiemer from the Marlins for cash and agreed to terms with right-hander JT Brubaker on a one-year contract.
The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million deal with veteran catcher James McCann.
Nov. 19
The Braves re-signed closer Raisel Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million contract.
The Atlanta Braves acquired Mauricio Dubon from the Houston Astros for Nick Allen in an exchange of infielders.
Nov. 18
The Baltimore Orioles acquired outfielder Taylor Ward from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez.
New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, Detroit Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff and Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga accepted their qualifying offers, meaning they’ll return to their respective teams in 2026 at salaries of $22.025 million.
Nov. 17
Reliever Ryan Yarbrough will be back in the Bronx after agreeing to a one-year deal with the New York Yankees.
Nov. 16
First baseman Josh Naylor and the Seattle Mariners have finalized a five-year, $92.5 million contract that has a full no-trade clause and no deferrals, sources tell ESPN.
Nov. 4
Chicago Cubs SP Shota Imanaga becomes free agent after team, player reject options for 2026
Nov. 3
Milwaukee Brewers exercise option on SP Freddy Peralta; SP Brandon Woodruff declines option
Boston Red Sox 3B Alex Bregman opts out of contract; SP Lucas Giolito declines option
New York Yankees OF Cody Bellinger declines option
New York Mets 1B Pete Alonso, RP Edwin Díaz opt out of contracts
Key offseason dates
Nov. 6: Free agency begins at 5 p.m. ET
Nov. 10-13: GM meetings in Las Vegas
Nov. 18-20: Owners meetings in New York
Nov. 18: Deadline to accept or reject qualifying offer
Nov. 21: Non-tender deadline
Dec. 8-10: Winter meetings in Orlando
Dec. 9: MLB draft lottery
Dec. 10: Rule 5 draft
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Jorge Castillo
ORLANDO, Fla. — New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the Toronto Blue Jays “kicked our ass” in 2025, but he doesn’t believe the gap between the American League East rivals is nearly as wide as the matchups indicated.
The Blue Jays went 8-5 against the Yankees during the regular season, including a 6-1 record in Toronto, serving as the tiebreaker for the American League East title after both teams finished an AL-best 98-64. The Blue Jays then overwhelmed the Yankees in four games in the AL Division Series, outscoring them 34-19 on their way to falling a game short of winning the World Series.
“We ended up with the identical records last year,” Boone said. “I don’t want to discount that they kicked our ass last year. Don’t take it out of context. … We had the same exact record, but they obviously were a great team last year and an eyelash away from winning a world championship. So, they certainly proved to be the better team this year.”
The Blue Jays, after dropping Game 7 of the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, have been active this offseason, signing free agent starters Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to fortify a rotation that included Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, and Jose Berrios.
Toronto also remains interested in retaining infielder Bo Bichette or signing outfielder Kyle Tucker, the consensus top player on the free agent market, according to sources.
This offseason, the Yankees have given center fielder Trent Grisham the $22.025 million qualifying offer and re-signed Ryan Yarbrough to a $2.5 million deal.
General manager Brian Cashman told reporters Sunday that the club remains interested in re-signing free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger, while the team also seeks to add more right-handed hitters. Bellinger is a left-handed hitter, but he was elite against left-handed pitchers last season, batting .353 with a 1.016 OPS in 176 plate appearances against lefties.
Other Yankees priorities include bolstering the bullpen and acquiring a starting pitcher, with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon expected to begin the season on the injured list.
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