Babe Ruth’s Lost 1927 Bat Unearthed—Historic Find Poised to Smash Auction Records

Baseball legend Babe Ruth is back in the headlines, proving that his star power still drives record numbers—both on and off the diamond. The most immediate spark came from an August auction in Dallas, where the Yankee slugger’s 1932 “Called Shot” jersey fetched a staggering $24.12 million, the highest price ever paid for a piece of sports memorabilia. Collectors say the artifact captures the moment Ruth allegedly pointed to center field before drilling a World Series home run against the Cubs, cementing one of baseball’s most mythologized feats. The sale shattered the previous jersey record by more than $7 million and has energized the sports-collectibles market heading into the fall auction season. While deep-pocketed bidders were battling in Dallas, grassroots baseball devotees were gathering in Hot Springs, Arkansas, for the 2025 Babe Ruth World Series. The 14-year-old division’s first pitch is scheduled for August 8 at Majestic Park, with the host team opening against Nigeria in a rare international matchup. Organizers expect more than 40,000 visitors over 10 days, generating an estimated $6 million in local economic impact. Tourism officials credit Ruth’s enduring appeal for helping the city turn a youth tournament into a destination event complete with autograph signings, vintage-uniform exhibitions, and a Hot Springs Baseball Weekend that draws former MLB greats to town. At the same time, communities nationwide are embracing Ruth’s legacy through their own championship runs. Greater Sanford (Maine) earned an opening-day split at the senior division World Series in Fredericksburg, Virginia, powered by a complete-game gem from 17-year-old lefthander Marcus Littlefield. In Washington state, the Camas-Washougal Crushers rolled through the Pacific Northwest bracket to clinch their ticket to the 16-18 World Series, adding to a season that already includes two no-hit victories. Major League Baseball is joining the celebration. The Yankees are planning a September ceremony at Yankee Stadium that will commemorate the 101st anniversary of Ruth’s debut in pinstripes. Team historians will unveil a digital reconstruction of every home run he ever hit in the Bronx, allowing fans to trace the flight path of each blast on the stadium’s video board. MLB.com senior historian John Thorn says the display will “connect Statcast-era fans with the original launch-angle pioneer.” Sports marketers note that Ruth’s name now trends across three distinct demographics: high-end collectors, youth participants, and nostalgic big-league fans. That convergence gives brands multiple touchpoints for activating partnerships, from limited-edition bourbon releases to augmented-reality batting cages that let users replicate the Bambino’s swing. For a player who last stepped to the plate in 1935, Babe Ruth remains a reliable driver of headlines, ticket sales, and search traffic. Whether it’s a multimillion-dollar jersey, a small-town title chase, or a big-league halftime show, the Sultan of Swat continues to hit it out of the park—nearly a century after his final home run.