JUST IN: The Los Angeles Dodgers’ historic $420 million deal was rejected by Shohei Ohtani in a…
Shohei Ohtani swiped 50 bases and hit his 50th home run of the season with the ball, which was purchased at auction early Wednesday for almost $4.3 million.
Considered by many to be one of the greatest accomplishments in baseball history, Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers star, became the first player to reach the 50/50 milestone in a season in September.
At 12:26 a.m. ET, out of 40 bids from all across the world, the winning bid was placed. It was the highest sum ever paid for a baseball, or any ball, according to New Jersey auction house Goldin.
“This baseball, which Shohei Ohtani made history with, has now sold for the highest price of any ball ever. It is a legendary piece of sports memorabilia.”
Ohtani, 30, of Japan, has 48 home runs and 49 stolen bases going into the game on September 19 against the Florida Marlins. Ohtani made history in the seventh inning when he hit a powerful strike to left field on a 1-2 ball from Marlins pitcher Mike Baumann. His 51st season home run ball is also for sale. It was one of three home runs he hit that evening alone.
Naturally, people’s focus then shifted to the ball’s fate, as collectors were eager to acquire such a rare object. The opening bid was placed at $500,000, with the option to purchase it altogether for $4.5 million. Goldin collaborated with the fan who discovered it.
The white leather ball’s black scuff marks served as MLB’s authentication.
Following the ball’s landing, there was a great deal of excitement, according to Goldin’s website: Fans flipped over dining tables and chairs at Miami’s LoanDepot Park in an attempt to get their hands on it. Within a week, security personnel removed Christian Zacek out of the stadium and drove him to Goldin.
“This baseball is a one-of-a-kind item that is the centerpiece of any collection of game-used memorabilia. According to Goldin’s item description, “The baseball has excellent game use, with black scuffing and surface abrasions present throughout the white leather surface.”
The buyer’s identity has not been made public. The question of who was the first is still up for legal debate.
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