Shohei Ohtani’s Historic 50-50 Baseball Up for Auction at $4.5 Million

The baseball that made Shohei Ohtani the first player ever to join the exclusive 50-50 club is now on the auction block, and it could be yours for the hefty price of $4.5 million. This momentous ball, which marks a significant milestone in Ohtani’s already illustrious career, was hit during a game on September 19 against the Miami Marlins, where he not only hit his 50th home run of the season but also stole his 50th base.

Ohtani’s incredible performance that night was further highlighted by his achievement of recording three home runs in a single game and driving in a remarkable 10 runs. The Los Angeles Dodgers dominated the Marlins with a final score of 20-4, securing a playoff spot for the team—an exciting first for Ohtani after six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels where he missed postseason play.

The ball from this historic game is now available for auction, with starting bids at $500,000. However, collectors looking to secure the baseball immediately can do so for $4.5 million through a private sale. The auction is set to commence on September 27 at noon ET and will run until October 16. For those interested in the private purchase option, they must finalize payment by October 9 at 10 p.m. ET, after which the ball will be available exclusively through auction.

Should the ball sell for the private asking price, it would shatter the previous record for a baseball sold at auction, which currently stands at $3.005 million for Mark McGwire’s 70th home run ball sold in January 1999.

Goldin Auctions, the auction house handling the sale, describes the baseball as “a crowning piece for any game-used memorabilia collection.” It features “black scuffing and surface abrasions” across the white leather surface, indicating its journey and significance.

In their auction listing, the auctioneers noted, “This accomplishment not only stands as a testament to Ohtani’s dominance on the domestic stage but also highlights his unparalleled celebrity on the international stage.” They further elaborated that Ohtani’s achievement transcends borders, resonating across countries, continents, and cultures.

Ken Goldin, founder and CEO of Goldin Auctions, remarked to ESPN that the process of securing this significant piece of memorabilia was remarkably straightforward. “Ohtani hit his 50th home run on Thursday, and by Friday, we heard from the owner of the ball,” Goldin explained. The owner, after reaching out through social media, arranged for a representative and a security guard to fly to Miami to authenticate the ball.

Ohtani, a two-time AL MVP, has solidified his status as the only member of the remarkable 50-50 club. Some fans are optimistic that he may reach the incredible milestone of 60 home runs and 60 stolen bases, although Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called this prospect “very unrealistic.” He acknowledged, however, that with Ohtani, “anything’s possible,” emphasizing the extraordinary nature of Ohtani’s season.

As of now, Ohtani has increased his impressive stats to 53 home runs and 56 stolen bases, with just four games left in the regular season. The closest any player has come to this feat was Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves, who recorded 73 stolen bases and 41 home runs in 2023, and Alex Rodriguez, who achieved 42 home runs and 46 stolen bases while playing for the Seattle Mariners in 1998.

As the auction date approaches, anticipation builds among collectors and baseball fans alike. The sale of Ohtani’s historic baseball not only represents a chance to own a piece of sports history but also highlights the athlete’s unprecedented accomplishments and impact on the game. Whether sold privately or through auction, this ball will undoubtedly hold immense value in the world of sports memorabilia.