Shohei Ohtani's 50th HR Ball Sells for $4 Million

It's the most expensive game ball – ever

News

By RC Staff

25 October 2024

Key Points

Ohtani’s 50/50 HR ball gaveled for $3.6 million + a 20% premium
Two fans are suing over the rights to the ball
With Shohei making his first World Series start, 2024 might be his biggest year ever

Move over Aaron Judge, because there’s a new home run king in town with the money to back it up. Shohei Ohtani made history this season as the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases, and the record-breaking ball was sold at a record-breaking auction. Ohtani and his Dodgers will be playing in the 2024 World Series later today, and it’s possible that collectibles like these are still undervalued. Let’s get into it.

Ohtani 50/50 Baseball Auction

Well, if you haven’t heard, the world’s most talented athlete added another all-time accomplishment to his highlight reel. On September 19, Shohei Ohtani hit one out of park against the Marlins, making him the first player in baseball history to record 50 homers and 50 steals in single season.

While Ohtani has been out of action as a pitcher for the last year, he’s apparently taken that as an opportunity to sharpen his already stellar offense.

You can watch the full at-bat above, but a long story made short is that Ohtani hammered a 1-2 pitch into the left field bleachers, triggering an absolute frenzy as fans began fighting for the ball.

In fact, two fans have filed lawsuits over the ball, alleging they were assaulted in the stands and their rightful prize stolen.

Both of these suits were filed after Goldin Auctions acquired the rights to sell Ohtani’s 50/50 ball, and both plaintiffs elected to allow the auction to continue. The final sum (minus Goldin’s commission) will be paid out following a legal battle, and may end up going to multiple people.

Shohei Ohtani 50th HR Ball Sells at Auction

Speaking of which, let’s talk about the actual money. This home run would be a major achievement for any MLB player, but the fact that it was Shohei has taken things to another level.

The auction for Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 baseball started on September 27, and ended up going all the way to October 22. The final bid came up to $4,392,000, the highest price for a single ball ever, across all sports.

As of yet, the identity of the winning bidder has not been revealed. Shohei has millions of fans in the US and Japan, and there’s probably a few billion floating around between them. We expect to learn who the new owner of this ball is the next few days.

And yeah, $4.3 million is a lot of money. But what if we told you it was worth more?

Shohei Ohtani is squarely in the running as the best baseball player of all time. You could could make an argument that he’s the most talented athlete ever born, and the fact that he’s set an offensive record while being primarily known for all-star pitching should be proof of that.

He’s accomplished all of that in six years in the MLB, but never once a trip to the postseason until this year. Now in Shohei’s first year as a Dodger, he’s punched a ticket all the way to the World Series.

There’s a whole lot of baseball left to play, and we’re just speculating here, but really consider the importance of 2024 in Ohtani’s baseball career. His first year as a Dodger, his first postseason, his first World Series… His first ring?

The Dodgers haven’t missed a postseason in 12 years. With Ohtani and the rest of the roster locked in, the odds they continue that streak are good. We might be looking at the beginnings of a new baseball dynasty.

It starts tonight. It started in 2024, the same year he founded the 50/50 club. Someone out there thinks that’s worth $4 million; how much further can they go?

In any case, we’ll be keeping an eye on the lawsuit around this ball. After Goldin’s fees, there is still well over $3 million going to the seller, whoever the court decides that is.