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Shohei Ohtani’s Record-Setting 50th Home Run Ball Could Fetch Over $500,000 at Auction
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- Shohei Ohtani’s Record-Setting 50th Home Run Ball Could Fetch Over $500,000 at Auction
(Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
On Thursday night, Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani made Major League Baseball history after hitting his 50th home run of the season. Now, the fan who caught the milestone ball could make bank if they decide to cash in.
Ohtani, who faced off against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park, became the inaugural member of the 50-50 club with his historic homer—meaning, he was the first player with a record-setting 50 home runs and 50 steals in the same season. He's also the only player to ever hit three home runs and steal two bases in a single game. The milestone ball was snapped up in the stands, and if the lucky fan who caught it plans on selling, the relic could fetch upwards of $500,000 at auction, David Kohler, president of SCP Auctions, told TMZ Sports .
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The fan, who hasn't been publicly identified, reportedly entered a discussion with the Dodgers organization on Thursday night after the game. However, it appears the person left the stadium with the memorabilia still in hand, perhaps to try their luck. "The fan who caught Shohei Ohtani's 50th home run baseball has opted to walk away with it. Dodgers did not get it back," MLB Network's Craig Mish confirmed in a post on X .
Similarly, Yankees slugger Aaron Judge broke an American League record when he hit his 62nd home run of the 2022 season. At the time, a 35-year-old fan from Texas , Cory Youmans, made the catch. He, too, turned down a proposal from the Yanks to sell the souvenir. Ultimately, the keepsake ended up going under the hammer with Goldin Auctions, where it brought in an impressive $1.5 million. Though, he would've made even more—a whopping $3 million—had he taken the initial offer.
"I would say strike while the iron's hot," Kohler said, speaking to NBC News . "I think that there's collectors and fans alike out there that would love to have this ball, have that in their possession for their collection. Now is the time to get that on the market as soon as possible."
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The most expensive home run baseball to sell at auction still belongs to Mark McGwire. The Cardinal legend's 70th home run ball from the 1998 season went for an eye-watering $3 million. It was purchased a year later by comic book artist and sports memorabilia collector Todd McFarlane. Interestingly, the longtime baseball fan also owns Barry Bonds's 73rd home run ball and Sammy Sosa's 66th, The New York Times reported .
For Ohtani, there are still nine games left in the Dodgers's regular season, meaning his record could become more impressive still. He already made it to 51-51 by the end of yesterday's game, so the 60-60 club could be next.
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