LOS ANGELES, Calif. (KTLA) — Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani seems to break a record every other day, but this latest feat transcends baseball.
Ohtani became the first player in the sport’s history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season, doing so on Sept. 19 against the Miami Marlins.
While there was originally controversy surrounding who caught the historic ball and who had the rights to it, it eventually ended up in the possession of sports auction house Goldin Auctions.
“The frenzy that ensued in pursuit of the ball was reminiscent of the day of Barry Bonds’ milestone home runs,” the listing for the 50/50 ball reads. “As the ball clanged off the facade above [the sports lounge] and fell into the dining area, fans converged with a fervor to get their hands on the ball, flipping over tables and chairs as the ball tried its best to avoid their grasp.”
“Eventually, as if by fate, the ball was found; the consignor was escorted by ballpark security immediately, had it authenticated, and within a week brought it to Goldin,” the listing continued.
And while it was known that the ball would fetch a high price, some may not believe that the winning bid for the piece of sports history is an eye-watering $3.6 million, which came out to a final price of $4.39 million with the buyer’s premium. (That’s more than Ohtani is expected to make this season — under his current 10-year deal with the Dodgers, he is reportedly paid $2 million annually.)
The bidding had started at $500,000, according to the listing’s bid history. The winning bidder was not identified.
Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 home run ball as pictured on Oct. 14, 2024. The ball recently fetched a record $4.39 million at auction, shattering the record for the most expensive ball in sports history. (KTLA) Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 home run ball as pictured on Oct. 14, 2024. The ball recently fetched a record $4.39 million at auction, shattering the record for the most expensive ball in sports history. (KTLA) Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 home run ball as pictured on Oct. 14, 2024. The ball recently fetched a record $4.39 million at auction, shattering the record for the most expensive ball in sports history. (KTLA) Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 home run ball as pictured on Oct. 14, 2024. The ball recently fetched a record $4.39 million at auction, shattering the record for the most expensive ball in sports history. (KTLA)
According to ESPN, the $4.39 million paid for Ohtani’s ball shattered not only the record paid for a baseball, but also “any sports ball, for that matter.”
The previous record for the most valuable baseball was Mark McGwire’s record-breaking 70th home run ball, which cost comic book creator and avid record-breaking baseball collector Todd McFarlane $3 million in 1998.
This season marks the first time Ohtani has made the playoffs in his career as the Dodgers face the New York Yankees for the 12th time in history in the World Series this year.
First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET Friday. Dodgers ace Jack Flaherty will face off against the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole.