Ohtani's Historic 50/50 Home Run Ball Sells for Record $4.39 Million Amid Legal Dispute

Oct 23, 2024, 03:59 AM

Shohei Ohtani's 50th home run ball from his historic 50/50 season sold at auction on October 23, 2024, for a record-breaking $4.392 million, making it the most expensive ball ever sold in any sport. The sale surpassed the previous record held by Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball, which sold for $3 million. Ohtani, a slugger for the Los Angeles Dodgers, achieved a remarkable feat by hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in a single season. The ball's sale price is more than double his $2 million salary for the season. The auction, conducted by Goldin Auctions, saw intense bidding that escalated from $2.44 million to over $4 million. However, the ownership of the ball is under dispute, with at least three individuals filing lawsuits in Florida state court claiming rightful possession after a melee in the stands when the home run was hit.