Shohei Ohtani’s historic 50th home run ball has been sold at auction for an astonishing nearly $4.4 million, setting a record not only for a baseball but for any ball across all sports, as confirmed by the auction house on Wednesday.

Ohtani made history by becoming the first player in baseball to achieve the remarkable feat of hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases within a single season. He reached this milestone on September 19, during a game where he hit two of a total of three home runs against the Miami Marlins.

Ken Goldin, founder and CEO of Goldin Auctions, expressed his excitement regarding the auction, stating that bids had been received from various locations around the globe. He emphasized the importance of this collectible and the significant mark Ohtani has made in the sports world, sharing his happiness for the successful bidder.

The auction commenced on September 27 with an initial bid of $500,000 and concluded shortly after midnight on Wednesday. Details about the identity of the winning bidder have not been disclosed by the auction house.

Complicating matters is ongoing litigation concerning the ownership of the ball itself. Christian Zacek claims he emerged from Miami’s LoanDepot Park with the ball after securing it from the left-field stands, while Max Matus and Joseph Davidov both assert they had possession of the ball prior to Zacek’s grab and have filed separate lawsuits related to the incident.

Despite the legal disputes, all parties involved have agreed to allow the auction to proceed without interference. Matus’s lawsuit alleges that he, celebrating his 18th birthday at the time, managed to get the ball before Zacek took it from him. Meanwhile, Davidov argues that he “firmly and completely” took hold of the ball with his left hand while it rested on the ground, effectively claiming ownership of the historic item.

As this situation unfolds, Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for Game 1 of the World Series, which is scheduled for Friday night.