Babe Ruth jersey could sell for record-breaking $30 million at auction

Even though there is dispute about whether Babe Ruth actually "called his shot" in the 1932 World Series, the jersey he wore that day is a hot commodity on the auction block and could go for as much as $30 million.

During Game 3 of the Fall Classic against the Chicago Cubs on October 1, Ruth came up to bat in the fifth inning. During the plate appearance, Ruth allegedly pointed toward the outfield before depositing a pitch from Cubs pitcher Charlie Root into deep center field.

The Yankees went on to win the game 7-5 behind Ruth's two home runs and four RBIs and beat the Cubs again the next day to complete the sweep and win the World Series.

Ruth's size 46 game-worn No. 3 road gray New York Yankees jersey is on the block and being offered by Heritage Auctions, headquartered in Dallas, set to take place August 23–25.

"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," said Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions at Heritage. "But that mystery is why we're still talking about it almost 100 years later.

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

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

Other sports memorabilia offered included a bat from Jackie Robinson and a jersey worn by Michael Jordan.

Before the official auction starts next week, the opening bid has already reached nearly $15 million.

Ruth's memorabilia has been sought after over the years, with a jersey he wore from 1928 to 1930 going for $5.64 million at an auction in 2019.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.