Babe Ruth's 'Polo Grounds' bat sells for record $1.85 million
A baseball bat belonging to the legendary Babe Ruth was sold for a record $1.85 million, breaking a record for baseball bats that was previously held by ... a different Ruth bat, per ESPN.
Hunt Auctions announced the sale of the "Polo Grounds" bat, a hefty 44.6-ounce bat made by Hillerich & Bradsby, on Wednesday.
The bat's record price was achieved thanks in part to being photo matched to a picture of Ruth in action during the 1921 season, his second with the New York Yankees. The team still played in the Polo Grounds then — the original Yankee Stadium would open in 1923 — and Ruth broke his own MLB record, set the previous year, by blasting 59 home runs.
Ruth, of course, retired in 1935 with 714 home runs, a MLB record that stood until Hank Aaron launched No. 715 in 1974. Barry Bonds, with 762, is now baseball's all-time home run king.
After his playing days, Ruth's $1.85 million bat was displayed at the Polo Grounds.