Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball most expensive ever, sells for US$4.39m at auction
Figure far surpasses the US$3 million paid for the ball Mark McGwire hit for his 70th home run in 1998, when he set the single-season record
The ball Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani hit out of the park for his historic 50th home run of the season has sold for a record US$4.39 million in an online auction.
According to organisers Goldin Auctions, that was the highest ever paid at auction for a game-used baseball, topping the US$3 million paid for the 70th home run ball hit in 1998 by Mark McGwire of the St Louis Cardinals, when he set the single-season home run record.
Ohtani’s homer saw him become the first Major League Baseball player in history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season.
On September 19, the Japanese crossed the threshold in both categories while turning in a remarkable performance against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park in Florida. The 30-year-old went six-for-six with three homers, 10 RBIs and two steals as his team won in a 20-4 rout.
The auction began on September 27 and closed on Tuesday night, US time. But who gets the money is still up for debate.
While Chris Belanski walked out of the stadium with it, after the ball went up for auction, a lawsuit was filed by Max Matus, 18, of Broward County, Florida, who claimed it was taken out of his hand. A judge decided the auction could proceed, but not who was the rightful owner.
