During a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, in Miami, Shohei Ohtani of Japan hit a home run in the third inning, bringing in teammate Hunter Feduccia to score. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
The saga surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s historic 50th home run ball has taken a new twist, as a second fan has now come forward, filing a lawsuit to claim ownership of the potentially valuable baseball. Joseph Davidov, the latest claimant, filed his lawsuit in Florida’s 11th Judicial Circuit Court, naming several defendants, including Chris Belanski, Kelvin Ramirez, Max Matus, and Goldin Auctions. Belanski is currently in possession of the baseball, but both Matus, who filed the first lawsuit, and Ramirez also claim ownership.
Shohei Ohtani, who became the first player in Major League Baseball to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases, set this record on September 19 during a game against the Miami Marlins. The ball, now up for auction at Goldin Auctions, has already drawn bids of over $1.4 million. However, due to legal disputes over who truly owns it, the sale of the baseball has been halted, pending a court hearing on October 10.
Davidov’s claim is based on the argument that he had possession of the ball after it landed, stating in the lawsuit that he “firmly and completely grabbed the ball” with his left hand while it was still on the ground. However, the suit claims that another fan leaped over the railing, and attacked Davidov, causing him to lose his grip on the ball, which then rolled into the hands of Belanski. Davidov is seeking over $50,000 in damages for his alleged loss of possession.
This second lawsuit adds a new layer to the ongoing legal drama surrounding the ball. Matus, who had filed the first lawsuit, asserts that he, too, had initially secured the ball during the scramble in the stands. Matus, a Florida resident celebrating his 18th birthday at the game, claims that he grabbed the ball with his left hand, only to have Belanski forcefully take it from him shortly after. His lawyer plans to present video footage of the chaotic scene at the October 10 hearing to support his claim.
The dispute over Ohtani's historic ball reflects the high stakes and immense value attached to rare sports memorabilia. With bidding already reaching seven figures, the legal wrangling between fans over ownership could become a long, drawn-out process. Both Davidov and Matus argue they were the rightful possessors of the ball before losing it to Belanski, raising questions about the fairness and conduct in the scramble for such prized items.
The court hearing on October 10 is expected to bring more clarity, as both sides present their evidence and the court determines the rightful owner of this highly sought-after piece of baseball history. Until then, the sale of the ball remains suspended, and sports fans will continue to follow the drama over who will walk away with Ohtani’s milestone ball.
