Shohei Ohtani’s historic 50-50 home run ball is projected to sell for over $10 million at auction, marking a significant moment in baseball history. As he prepares for his inaugural World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, this particular baseball symbolizes not just a milestone in his career but a groundbreaking achievement in Major League Baseball.
The ball, which Ohtani hit for his 50th home run of the 2024 season, makes him the first player in MLB history to achieve the remarkable feat of hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in a single season. Such a dual accomplishment has never been seen before, elevating the ball’s value to collectors and fans alike.
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According to auctioneer Ken Goldin of Goldin Auctions, the bidding for Ohtani’s record-setting home run ball is already in the multimillion-dollar range. He anticipates a surge in both the quantity and value of bids as the auction deadline approaches, indicating a high level of interest from collectors worldwide.
Goldin expressed his belief to TMZ Sports that it would not be surprising if a foreign bidder pushed the price into the eight-figure range, potentially exceeding $10 million. This level of bidding underscores the ball’s significance in sports memorabilia.
Interestingly, Goldin mentioned that he has yet to hear from Ohtani or his representatives about any intentions to bid on the ball. Ohtani recently signed a groundbreaking $700 million contract with the Dodgers, further solidifying his status as a two-way superstar after his time with the Los Angeles Angels.
Bidding is currently active for the historic home run ball, despite an ongoing lawsuit regarding its ownership. The legal complexities surrounding the ball add another layer of intrigue to an already captivating story in the world of sports memorabilia.
