During the first inning of a game against the Colorado Rockies in Los Angeles on Friday, September 20, 2024, the Dodgers paid tribute to Shohei Ohtani, their designated hitter. Ohtani made history as the first Major League Baseball player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball has made history, selling for almost $4.4 million at auction, a record-breaking amount for any sports ball, the auction house revealed on Wednesday. This remarkable event occurred after Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ star player, became the first in baseball to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. He achieved the milestone during a game on September 19 against the Miami Marlins, where he hit three home runs, with the 50th being the iconic one.
Bidders from across the globe showed immense interest in the ball, underscoring Ohtani’s widespread impact on sports. Goldin Auctions, the company that handled the sale, said they were thrilled for the winning bidder. However, they declined to reveal any information about the individual who placed the winning bid.
The auction kicked off on September 27, starting at $500,000. The bidding closed just after midnight on Wednesday, securing the staggering final price. This sale, however, is overshadowed by a legal dispute over who rightfully owns the ball.
Christian Zacek left Miami’s LoanDepot Park with the ball after he caught it in the left-field stands. But two others, Max Matus and Joseph Davidov, have filed lawsuits, each claiming they had possession of the ball first. Matus, a Florida resident celebrating his 18th birthday, alleges that he initially got hold of the ball before Zacek took it. Davidov, in a separate suit, insists he fully grabbed the ball with his left hand while it was on the ground, thus believing he rightfully possessed it.
Despite the ongoing litigation, all parties involved agreed that the auction could proceed. The legal battle over ownership will continue, but the monumental sale of the ball has already become a landmark moment in sports memorabilia history.
As for Ohtani and the Dodgers, their focus now shifts to the upcoming World Series, with Game 1 set for Friday night. This auction may have attracted massive attention, but the Dodgers’ star player is now ready to give fans even more reasons to cheer on the field.
