SHOHEI OHTANI’S historic 50th home run ball has been sold for $4.4million at auction.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star reached the milestone with his second of three homers against the Miami Marlins on September 19.
Shohei Ohtani’s historic 50th home run ball has been sold at auction for $4.4million[/caption]
The ball was caught by a fan during the game against the Miami Marlins in September[/caption]
A month on from making history, the ball has sold for $4.4million, including buyer’s premium.
After 27 bids, Goldin.co closed the online auction for the ball on Tuesday night.
According to ESPN, it is the highest price ever paid for a baseball or any other ball.
The price tag overtakes the $3million paid for Mark McGwire’s record-breaking 70th home run ball in 1999.
Goldin.co CEO Ken Goldin said in a statement: “Shohei Ohtani made history with this baseball, and now, with the highest sale price for any ball ever sold, this legendary piece of sports memorabilia has made history again.
“We received bids from around the world, a testament to the significance of this iconic collectible and Ohtani’s impact on sports, and I’m thrilled for the winning bidder.”
Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in a season this year.
The 30-year-old has also guided the Dodgers to the World Series in his first season after signing from the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in a season[/caption]
His current team are now preparing for a seven-game series against the New York Yankees.
Their showdown starts on Friday with game one from Dodger Stadium in California.
The Dodgers are aiming to win their eighth World Series and first since 2020.
Meanwhile, Ohtani is searching for his first World Series after seven years in the MLB.
Before joining the Angels in 2018, he spent four years playing for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in his native Japan.
This year, though, he leads the league in 12 different statistics, including runs scored and total bases.
Ohtani has since guided the Dodgers to the World Series, where they face the New York Yankees[/caption]
