A baseball with significant historic value is set to be auctioned off on Friday after being hit by Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani for his 50th home run, marking a monumental milestone in Major League history. Ohtani’s achievement of reaching 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season is a remarkable feat that has never been accomplished before.
The fan who caught the milestone ball during Ohtani’s game in Miami is collaborating with Goldin, an auction house based in New Jersey known for handling valuable trading cards, collectibles, and memorabilia. The starting bid for the baseball is $500,000, and it displays visible scuffing and abrasions on its white leather surface, a testament to its authenticity confirmed by Major League Baseball.
Interested buyers will have the opportunity to either place bids on the ball starting from $500,000 or opt to purchase it outright for a fixed price of $4.5 million until October 9th. In the event that bidding surpasses $3 million before the deadline, the private purchase option will no longer be available, requiring all prospective buyers to compete through the bidding process. Extended bidding is scheduled to commence on October 16th to allow for further offers.
Ken Goldin, the founder and CEO of the auction house, expressed admiration for Ohtani’s unparalleled accomplishment, emphasizing the significance of the 50-50 record as a defining moment in baseball history that will resonate with fans and historians worldwide for years to come. This unique piece of memorabilia encapsulates a remarkable achievement that will undoubtedly hold a special place in the annals of the sport.