The ball from Ohtani's remarkable 50th home run, which solidified his position in baseball history, has just been auctioned off, fetching a staggering £3.39 million.
Record-Breaking Sale: Ohtani's Historic '50-50' Baseball Auctioned for £3.39m
Record-Breaking Sale: Ohtani's Historic '50-50' Baseball Auctioned for £3.39m
Shohei Ohtani's iconic baseball sells for an unprecedented amount, sparking interest in sports memorabilia.
The ball hit by Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, marking his historic achievement of hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in a single Major League Baseball season, has broken auction records by selling for £3.39 million ($4.4 million). This landmark sale occurred after the game against the Miami Marlins on September 19, where Ohtani became the first player ever to reach such extraordinary dual milestones in one season.
This sale surpasses the previous record for a baseball, which was £2.3 million ($3 million) for Mark McGwire’s famed ball from the 1998 MLB season. Interestingly, ownership of Ohtani's '50-50 ball' is currently under legal dispute, with a Florida lawsuit claiming that the ball was stolen during the celebration of this milestone.
The plaintiff, Max Matus, asserts that he initially captured the ball but it was taken from him by another fan, Chris Belanski. Despite the ongoing legal issues, all claimants agreed to proceed with the auction. Goldin Auctions, responsible for handling the sale, reassured buyers of the ball's legitimacy, with founder Ken Goldin remarking on the global interest surrounding this iconic collectible.
Ohtani, having signed a staggering 10-year contract worth £539.5 million ($700 million) with the Dodgers in 2023, stands out not only for his on-field prowess but also for his off-field earnings that surpass even the likes of global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. As the Dodgers prepare to face the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series, Ohtani's legacy continues to grow, both in the realm of baseball and beyond.
This sale surpasses the previous record for a baseball, which was £2.3 million ($3 million) for Mark McGwire’s famed ball from the 1998 MLB season. Interestingly, ownership of Ohtani's '50-50 ball' is currently under legal dispute, with a Florida lawsuit claiming that the ball was stolen during the celebration of this milestone.
The plaintiff, Max Matus, asserts that he initially captured the ball but it was taken from him by another fan, Chris Belanski. Despite the ongoing legal issues, all claimants agreed to proceed with the auction. Goldin Auctions, responsible for handling the sale, reassured buyers of the ball's legitimacy, with founder Ken Goldin remarking on the global interest surrounding this iconic collectible.
Ohtani, having signed a staggering 10-year contract worth £539.5 million ($700 million) with the Dodgers in 2023, stands out not only for his on-field prowess but also for his off-field earnings that surpass even the likes of global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. As the Dodgers prepare to face the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series, Ohtani's legacy continues to grow, both in the realm of baseball and beyond.
