The Babe Ruth “Called Shot” jersey might have received the lion’s share of the headlines, but it wasn't the only auction to produce record-setting numbers over the weekend.
Over the course of three days, Heritage’s Summer Platinum Night Sport Auction grossed $61,913,202, the largest sports auction in history.
Of course, the “Called Shot” jersey contributed a cool $24.12 million to that number, becoming the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia in history. However, the Dallas-based auction house filled out the catalog with plenty of other pieces which, on their own, would have been capable of headlining.
(The previous record for any sports item was the $12.6 million paid for a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle SGC 9.5 at Heritage in 2022.)
There were record-setting jerseys worn by Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron, which sold to the tune of $5.52 million and $2.1 million, respectively. Mickey Mantle’s 1952-53 World Series jersey, while not a record, would still like a word at $3 million.
Michael Jordan, who previously reigned supreme when his 1998 NBA Championship Game 1 jersey sold for $10.1 million, had a "Last Dance" jersey fetch $360,000.
“Shoeless” Joe Jackson’s $2 million bat ... Ruth’s $480,000 cap ... the list goes on.
Prior to Heritage’s banner weekend, the highest-grossing sports auction belonged to Goldin Auctions, which notched $50 million in May 2021.
So, where does this leave the sports memorabilia and collectibles industry?
Optimists will say the mainstream media attention, which gathered to shine a spotlight on the “Called Shot” jersey, will lead to a slew of new collectors and bidders across the ecosystem.
Whether that will prove true remains to be seen. What can we say for sure?
For the right items — the rarest and most coveted — the cash remains in waiting, sitting on the sidelines, itching to be deployed when the time is right.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.