USED BY RUTH DURING HIS RISE WITH THE YANKEES, THE BAT BREAKS A 19-YEAR-OLD RECORD IN HERITAGE’S $26.3 MILLION SPORTS EVENT
By Intelligent Collector Staff
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The 44-ounce Hillerich & Bradsby model was used by Ruth during his pivotal transition from Boston Red Sox pitcher to New York Yankees slugger, a stretch when the legend of the “Sultan of Swat” first began to take shape. The bat eclipsed the previous auction record set in 2004, when the bat Ruth used to hit the first home run at Yankee Stadium realized $1.265 million.
This Ruth bat wasn’t just a tool of transformation, it was a gift. The Bambino eventually passed it on to his teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Frank “Home Run” Baker. It later entered the hands of one of the early pioneers in sports memorabilia collecting, who had been close friends with Baker.
“This bat doesn’t just tell the story of Ruth’s emergence as a Yankee icon,” said a Heritage representative. “It also carries the lineage of two of the game’s great sluggers — and one of collecting’s earliest advocates.”
Graded by PSA/DNA and MEARS as one of the most important Ruth bats ever authenticated, the piece saw prolonged bidding before closing early Sunday morning. Its provenance, usage period, and exceptional condition combined to make it a historic centerpiece in a sports event that totaled more than $26 million in realized sales.
The result also reaffirms a growing trend in the collectibles market: museum-quality, game-used memorabilia, especially with impeccable provenance, is drawing unprecedented interest from collectors seeking sports artifacts with deep historical roots.
And for consignors weighing when, and where, to part with their most significant pieces, this result offers a clear answer to a familiar question: Where’s the best place to sell a once-in-a-lifetime sports artifact?
Intelligent Collector brings editorial expertise to the world of sports memorabilia collecting, offering collectors deep insights into market trends, legendary athletes, and the stories behind iconic moments in sports history. Our experienced writers and industry experts help readers navigate the dynamic sports collecting landscape with authority, while our connection to Heritage Auctions—the best place to sell sports memorabilia—ensures our coverage reflects real market knowledge that serious collectors and investors can trust.