Auction house records and announcements

Shohei Ohtani's 50th Home Run Ball Sells for Record $4.39 Million, Most Expensive Baseball Ever

Oct 23, 2024, 11:37 AM

Shohei Ohtani's 50th home run ball has sold for a record-breaking $4.39 million at auction, making it the most expensive baseball ever sold. The ball, hit during Ohtani's remarkable 50/50 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, surpassed the previous record of $3 million held by Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball. The auction, conducted by Goldin Auctions, saw intense bidding, with the final price exceeding initial estimates. Ken Goldin, the auctioneer, had predicted the ball could fetch up to $10 million. The sale, however, is mired in controversy as multiple parties have laid claim to the ball, leading to ongoing legal disputes. An 18-year-old has filed a lawsuit alleging the ball was stolen from him, complicating the ownership and distribution of the proceeds.