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Babe Ruth jersey could sell for record at auction

George Rinhart / Corbis Historical / Getty

A rare game-worn New York Yankees jersey used by Babe Ruth could set a new world record for a sports memorabilia item with a potential selling price of over $4 million, according to Hunt Auctions.

The grey road uniform - which features the team's name on the front, a very unique occurrence in Yankees history - was worn by the Sultan of Swat between 1928-30. Only about six authentic professional model Ruth jerseys "of quality" are known to exist, including the one in Cooperstown and the one up for sale to the highest bidder, Hunt Auctions notes, according to Emily Caron of Sports Illustrated.

“The scarcity and desirability of this particular Babe Ruth jersey simply cannot be overstated," Hunt Auctions president David Hunt said in a statement, according to Caron. "Ruth game-worn jerseys are the pinnacle of collecting and investment pursuits within the marketplace with the current offering marking a generational opportunity.

"We fully expect demand and bidding interest befitting the greatest figure in the history of the sport."

The jersey will be a part of a bigger collection for auction that will also feature a pair of Ruth's professional model cleats, a 60th home run autographed display piece, and a Lou Gehrig-signed photograph to Ruth. The auction will take place at Yankee Stadium on June 15.

"This special auction will provide the opportunity to share some of the Ruth family memorabilia that has remained in our possession since the Babe's passing in 1948," Ruth's grandson, Tom Stevens, said in a statement. "None of these items have been previously offered to the collecting public."

Ruth, a seven-time World Series champion, finished with a remarkable .342/.474./.690 slash line and recorded 714 home runs and 2,213 RBIs. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.

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