Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 home run ball is set for auction, with the starting bid at $500,000, according to ESPN. This remarkable piece of MLB history has been consigned to Goldin, a prominent collectibles marketplace, and the auction is scheduled to kick off this Friday.
Ken Goldin, the founder and CEO of Goldin, revealed that the anonymous consigner turned down an undisclosed offer from the Dodgers to auction the ball instead. This decision highlights the growing trend among collectors to seek maximum value through auctions rather than private sales.
“This was one of the easiest consignments ever,” Goldin stated to ESPN. “Ohtani hit 50 on Thursday, and by Friday, we heard from the consigner. He reached out to Goldin via social media, arranged for a security guard to accompany him to Miami, and met with our representative on Monday before returning home.” This swift action underscores the excitement surrounding Ohtani’s historic achievement.
On September 19, Ohtani made history by becoming the first player in baseball to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. His remarkable performance included three home runs and two stolen bases in a game against the Miami Marlins, further solidifying his status as a baseball phenomenon.
[Related: How Shohei Ohtani, without half his powers, rewrote MLB history again and went 50/50]
For those interested in owning this iconic baseball, a hefty price tag comes with it. The auction’s opening bid is set at $500,000, and prospective buyers will have the opportunity to acquire the ball outright for $4.5 million from September 27 to October 9. However, if bids reach $3 million before the deadline, the private purchase option will be revoked, compelling bidders to compete for the ball.
Extended bidding will commence at 10 p.m. ET on October 16, allowing collectors a chance to secure this coveted item.
Goldin recognizes the immense value of this historical baseball and believes that a quick auction is the best strategy. “It’s timely; the Dodgers are heading to the playoffs, and Ohtani is a frontrunner for the Most Valuable Player award. We want to capitalize on the buzz surrounding him,” Goldin explained. He also noted the global reach of Goldin and eBay, suggesting that international bidders may play a significant role in the auction.
As reported by ESPN, the current record for a baseball purchase stands at $3.05 million, set by Todd McFarlane for Mark McGwire’s 70th home run ball in 1999. With Ohtani’s historic milestone, this auction could potentially break that record, making it a significant event in the world of sports memorabilia.
