Babe Ruth's jersey worn during 'called shot' sells for record $24.12 million

Aug. 25 (UPI) -- The baseball uniform worn by Babe Ruth when he famously "called the shot" during the 1932 World Series has been sold for a record-breaking amount.

The jersey sold for $24.12 million at an auction, becoming the priciest item of sporting memorabilia ever sold at an auction.

The previous high was $12.6 million paid in 2022 for a 1952 Topps baseball card featuring New York Yankees outfielder Mickey Mantle.

"If this was a piece of art, this would be like buying the Mona Lisa," Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions at Heritage Auctions.

He called it "the most significant piece of American sports memorabilia ever offered at auction."

Ruth wore the jersey when he played for the New York Yankees during Game Three of the 1932 World Series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

He pointed his bat toward center field, before hitting a home run off Cubs pitcher Charlie Root. The Yankees won the series 7-5 and it was Ruth's final home run in a World Series.

The size 46 jersey is constructed of wool gray flannel.

Heritage Auctions is the largest fine art and collectibles auction house in the United States. Heritage maintains offices in New York, Dallas, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Hong Kong and Tokyo.