In a striking moment for sports history, the baseball struck by superstar Shohei Ohtani during his 50th home run in the Major League Baseball (MLB) season has sold for a staggering £3.39 million ($4.4 million) at auction. The event occurred on September 19, when Ohtani, now a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, made history as the first player to achieve both 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season during a game against the Miami Marlins.
This record-breaking sale surpasses the previous auction high for a sports ball, which was £2.3 million ($3 million) for a baseball hit by Mark McGwire during the 1998 season. The identity of the winning bidder remains undisclosed, but they have secured what is being called the '50-50 ball,' an item surrounded by controversy due to ownership claims.
Max Matus, an 18-year-old fan, claims he initially retrieved the historic ball but subsequently lost it after a scuffle with another spectator, Chris Belanski. Matus has filed a legal claim asserting that Belanski wrestled the ball from him. Despite this dispute, all parties involved permitted the auction to continue. According to Goldin Auctions, which facilitated the bidding, the buyer was guaranteed complete possession of the ball.
Ken Goldin, the founder of Goldin Auctions, expressed excitement about the auction, noting, "We received bids from around the world, underscoring the significance of this iconic collectible and Ohtani’s impact on sports."
Ohtani signed a mammoth 10-year contract worth £539.5 million ($700 million) with the Dodgers in 2023, the largest in baseball's history. While his on-field earnings rank him among the best-paid athletes, his endorsement deals place him even higher, surpassing icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. In a strategic move to ensure the Dodgers remain competitive, he will defer a large portion of his salary, earning approximately £1.6 million annually until 2034 and around £54 million from 2044 onward.
The Dodgers are gearing up to face the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series this Friday, further solidifying Ohtani’s pivotal role in baseball.