Shohei Ohtani’s HISTORIC 50/50 home run ball sold for record-breaking $4.39 million in auction

Shohei Ohtani's 50/50 home run ball has become the most expensive ball in sports history after this record-breaking sale.

Shohei Ohtani’s HISTORIC 50/50 home run ball sold for record-breaking $4.39 million in auction

Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani continues to break records even when he is not on the field. Ahead of the 2024 World Series, the Japanese international has once again grabbed the headlines as his historic 50/50 home run ball shatters records in an auction.

On 19th September, during the game against the Miami Marlins, Ohtani slammed his 50th home run of the season. As he had already completed 50 stolen bases, the 2023 American League MVP became the first player to enter the 50/50 club.

YouTube video

According to reports, that home run ball has now been sold at an auction for a whopping $4.39 million. This makes it the most expensive ball in MLB history. Previously, the record for the most expensive ball in MLB history belonged to Mark McGwire.

The former St. Louis Cardinals slugger’s historic 70th home run ball in the 1998 season was sold for $3 million. While Barry Bonds would break the record for the most home runs in a season three years later, this particular record of McGwire stood for more than a quarter of a century.

Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 ball received bids from all around the world

Since making his debut in the MLB, Shohei Ohtani has made a huge impact on the world of baseball. His popularity has reached new heights following his move to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fans’ affection towards him could be seen clearly as people from all over the world put in bids and took their chances to land home his 50/50 home run ball.

Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

Ken Goldin, the CEO of auctioneer Goldin Auctions, helped in auctioning the ball. The CEO claimed that Ohtani had made history again.

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.

Ken Goldin said in a statement released as per Forbes.

The auction, though, has been overshadowed by a lawsuit regarding the ownership of the ball. While Christian Zacek walked out of Miami’s LoanDepot Park with the ball in his hands, two other people, Max Matus, and Joseph Davidov, claimed in two separate lawsuits that they had possession of the ball first.

While Davidov claims to have been “attacked” by an unknown man. On the other hand, Matus, celebrating his 18th birthday, claims Zacek took it away from his grab. Despite this, all parties involved decided to go through the auction. The money for this ball will be paid once this ownership lawsuit is resolved.