In a groundbreaking moment for the world of sports memorabilia, the ball from Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run has been auctioned for an astonishing $4.4 million. This sale marks a record not only for a baseball but also for any ball across all sports, according to an announcement made by the auctioneer on Wednesday.
Ohtani achieved a remarkable feat on September 19, becoming the first player in baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. This milestone was reached during a game against the Miami Marlins, where he hit two out of three home runs during that match.
The auction, which began on September 27 with a starting bid of $500,000, garnered international interest, demonstrating the significance of this iconic collectible and Ohtani’s impact on the world of sports. It concluded just after midnight on Wednesday, though the auctioneer, Ken Goldin, founder and CEO of Goldin Auctions, stated that details about the winning bidder could not be disclosed.
The auction took place amidst ongoing legal disputes regarding ownership of the ball. Christian Zacek left Miami’s LoanDepot Park with the ball after acquiring it in the left-field stands, yet two other individuals, Max Matus and Joseph Davidov, have filed separate lawsuits claiming they were the first to gain possession of it.
Matus, in his lawsuit, argues that he, a Florida resident who was celebrating his 18th birthday at the time, had possession of the ball before Zacek took it. Meanwhile, Davidov asserts that he could “firmly and completely grab the ball in his left hand while it was on the ground,” successfully securing ownership of the historic item.
Despite the ongoing litigation, all parties involved agreed that the auction should proceed. As the legal matters unfold, Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for Game 1 of the World Series, scheduled for Friday night.
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