Shohei Ohtani (30, Los Angeles Dodgers) has made history in Major League Baseball (MLB) by hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in a single season, and the ball from his 50th home run is now heading to auction.
On Thursday, ESPN reported that Ohtani’s 50th home run ball has been entrusted to the auction house Goldin, with bidding set to commence on September 27.
Ohtani reached this historic 50-home run and 50-stolen base milestone during a game against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, on September 20. Ohtani delivered an incredible performance in that game, going 6-for-6 with three home runs, two stolen bases, ten RBIs, and four runs scored. He reached 50 stolen bases first, then hit his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs in succession.
His 50th home run came in the seventh inning, soaring over the left field wall as about ten fans jumped to catch the ball—the fan who ultimately retrieved it was escorted out of the stands by team officials.
Initially, the Dodgers offered the fan a reward of $300,000 for the ball, but he declined, according to ESPN.
The starting bid for the auction of Ohtani’s 50th home run ball is set at $500,000, with a purchase offer of $4.5 million guaranteeing the ball without competition.
According to Guinness World Records, the most expensive home run ball ever sold at auction was the 70th hit by Mark McGwire in 1998. Famed cartoonist Todd McFarlane purchased it in January 1999 for $3,054,000, including fees.
In 2022, Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run ball for the New York Yankees sold for $1.5 million at auction, further highlighting the significant value of milestone baseballs.
