The legendary home runs of Babe Ruth made him one of the most iconic figures in baseball history. So it’s only fitting that some of the hobby’s rarest and most coveted cards pay tribute to Ruth’s mammoth shots. Cards spotlighting Ruthian home runs, often called “Ruthian shot” cards, have always fascinated collectors due to their rarity, historical significance, and ability to transport collectors back to the golden era of the legendary Bambino.
One of the earliest and most notable Ruthian shot cards comes from the 1933 Goudey Baseball Leaders set. Card #16 depicts Ruth hitting one of his trademark towering blasts, with a rainbow arc showing the ball’s trajectory. Only 99 copies of this card are believed to exist today in all grades, making it incredibly scarce. In pristine mint condition, a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card can sell for over $200,000 at auction due to its rarity and importance in chronicling Ruth’s iconic home run feats.
Another standout Ruthian shot card hails from the 1933 Goudey Wide Penalty Leaders subset. Card #81 portrays Ruth unleashing a titanic swing, with another rainbow arc displaying the ball flying high over the outfield fence. Like the main set card, only a tiny handful are known to exist today. In gem mint condition, a 1933 Goudey Wide Penalty Babe Ruth card can command well into the six figures. Their extreme scarcity and ties to Ruth’s record-breaking home run prowess make these 1933 Goudey issues highly-coveted by collectors.
Jump ahead a few decades to the 1950s, when Topps issued two cards specifically honoring Ruth’s epic home run displays. The 1955 Topps Babe Ruth card depicts #3 towering a ball out of Yankee Stadium, with a caption reading “Ruthian Blast!” On the 1957 Topps card, Ruth is again shown crushing a deep fly over the wall, and the back describes some of his most monstrous shots. Collectors prize both 1950s Topps Ruth cards for their depictions of his legendary home run power. High grade versions regularly sell for $4,000-$10,000 depending on condition.
In the 1980s, Donruss paid special tribute to Ruth with cards from their “Guys & Gals of Summer” subset. The 1984 Donruss Babe Ruth card portrays #3 unleashing a mammoth swing with the ball sailing far out of view. Turning the card over reveals the back is emblazoned with the words “Ruthian Blast” along with career stats. This iconic depiction of Ruth hitting a titanic home run is immensely popular with collectors. Prices range from $300 raw to $2,000 or more for a near-mint copy.
One of the most visually-striking Ruthian shot cards comes from the premium 1996 Ultra Golden Moments set. Card #59 features an action shot of Ruth unleashing his powerful uppercut swing, with the ball shown blasting far out of the park like a missile. An impressive watercolor painting adorns the front to commemorate one of Ruth’s record breaking displays of power. Mint Ultra Ruthian shots can sell for $500-$1,000 due to the premium production quality and painted artwork.
Fast forward to the 2000s when hobby manufacturers continued to pay homage to Ruth’s home run records. The exquisite 2001 Fleer Greats Signature Series Insert card portrays Ruth rounding the bases after smacking a ball completely out of view. Turning it over reveals a swatch of Ruth’s authentic autograph embedded on the reverse. Adding to the rarity, only 25 copies were inserted into packs, making mint condition examples extremely scarce with values ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.
One of the most affordable modern options for collectors seeking a Ruthian shot card comes from 2005 Topps Baseball Heritage. Card #154 depicts Babe Ruth smashing a home run over the Yankee Stadium fence, with a pink circle around the ball to represent its trajectory. Though not as rare as older issues, the Heritage set helps preserve Ruth’s legacy as the original home run king for a new generation of collectors. Even lower end copies in Good/Very Good condition can be obtained for under $20.
Cards commemorating Babe Ruth’s awe-inspiring home run displays hold a unique place in the hobby. From exceedingly rare 1933 Goudey issues to modern tribute pieces, Ruthian shot cards captivate collectors with their depictions and historical significance. Whether a mint Goudey Budget or well-loved 2005 Heritage card, they transport fans back to a bygone baseball era defined by the iconic Bambino launching tape measure shots out of the park. No collection of vintage baseball cards is truly complete without at least one piece honoring the original Sultan of Swat.
