In an unprecedented moment in Major League Baseball (MLB) history, the ball struck by Los Angeles Dodgers' phenom Shohei Ohtani during his 50th home run—the crowning achievement of a season where he also stole 50 bases—has auctioned for a record £3.39 million ($4.4 million). This momentous event took place on September 19 against the Miami Marlins, establishing Ohtani as the first player ever to achieve “50-50” status in a single season.
The ball, cleverly termed the '50-50 ball', now holds the record for the highest price ever paid at auction for a sports ball, surpassing the previous record of £2.3 million ($3 million) for Mark McGwire's famed baseball from 1998.
Despite the record-breaking sale, controversy looms as ownership of the '50-50 ball' is contested. Eighteen-year-old Max Matus claims he initially caught the ball but lost it in a scuffle with another fan, Chris Belanski. Matus has filed a legal claim of theft based on these events. Amidst the legal fray, all parties in contention consented to proceed with the auction, ensuring potential buyers were assured of complete ownership post-sale.
Ken Goldin, founder of Goldin Auctions, expressed excitement over the bidding's global reach, highlighting Ohtani’s impact on sports and the significance of the collectible. Ohtani is not only noted for his athlete earnings—having signed a historic 10-year contract with the Dodgers worth £539.5 million ($700 million)—but also for his growing profile off the field, eclipsing even global icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James in endorsements.
As Ohtani prepares to lead the Dodgers into Game 1 of the World Series against the New York Yankees, the focus on his achievements and the sale of his record-breaking ball continues to capture attention on the greater cultural impact he has in the world of sports.
