Oct 20, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates after beating the New York Mets during game six of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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Shohei Ohtani’s historic 50-50 home run ball sells for record $4.39 million amid ownership dispute

Ohtani's legendary 50th homerun ball smashed records, fetching a jaw-dropping $4.392 million at auction

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball from this MLB season sold at auction for $4.392 million, including the buyer’s premium, setting a new record for the most expensive ball in sports history.

Previously, the most costly baseball was Mark McGwire’s 70th home run ball from the 1998 MLB season, which was purchased for $3 million in early 1999 by Todd McFarlane, creator of Spawn.

Shohei Ohtani's 50/50 home run ball sold for a record-breaking $4.39 million, per @GoldinCo.

It's now the most expensive ball of all time. 💰 pic.twitter.com/90aeLV4qVP
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 23, 2024

Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball solidified his place in baseball history as the only player to ever surpass 50 home runs and 50 steals in a single season. The ball was consigned to Goldin Auctions, where it became one of the most highly anticipated modern memorabilia items.

Photos on Goldin’s website feature the game-used ball with its MLB scuffs, along with the MLB Authentication hologram number “431048” and validation code “WSG.”

18-year-old fan files lawsuit claiming ownership of Shohei Ohtani’s 50-50 ball

The auction kicked off on September 27 with a starting bid of $500,000 and ended just after midnight on Wednesday. The auction house declined to reveal details about the winning bidder, but the ongoing legal battle over the ball’s rightful owner clouded the event.

Christian Zacek left Miami’s LoanDepot Park with the ball after catching it in the left-field stands. However, both Max Matus and Joseph Davidov have filed separate lawsuits, each asserting they were the first to grab the ball.

Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 home run ball sold for $4.39 million.

Its the most expensive baseball of all time pic.twitter.com/PP2EORqglT
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) October 23, 2024

Matus, in his lawsuit, states that while celebrating his 18th birthday, he was the first to take hold of the ball before Zacek snatched it away. Meanwhile, Davidov claims he was able to “firmly and completely grab the ball in his left hand while it was on the ground, successfully obtaining possession of the 50/50 ball.”

Despite the legal turmoil, all parties agreed to proceed with the auction.

Meanwhile, Ohtani and the Dodgers are gearing up for Game 1 of the World Series, scheduled for Friday night.

Image Credit: © Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani 50th home run ball

Natasha Bose

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