A baseball enthusiast struck it rich by catching Shohei Ohtani's 50th home run last Thursday in Miami during a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Miami Marlins. A video posted on the Instagram account of Only in Dade shows the man triumphantly raising his hand with the ball after diving into the stands at LoanDepot Park alongside others vying for the catch.
According to TMZ, despite negotiations, the Dodgers were unable to retrieve the ball, and the lucky fan ultimately kept it. Opinions on its potential value vary. David Kohler, president of sports memorabilia store SCP Auctions, told TMZ Sports that Ohtani's ball could fetch more than $300,000 at auction. However, it might be worth even more.
Comparative Value of Iconic Home Run Balls
CBS Sports noted that Aaron Judge's 62nd home run ball sold for $1.5 million in 2022, and Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball fetched $3 million. "Similarly, the 50-50 ball is a significant piece of history. Ohtani is a global icon, and while the 50-50 ball may not reach McGwire's or Judge's prices, it's still incredibly valuable," the article stated.
Only in Dade mentioned not one, but two friends who caught the ball after it bounced off the left-field wall. "They were immediately escorted by Marlins and MLB staff, where the ball was authenticated by Major League Baseball and valued at at least $2 million. They received offers from the Dodgers, Ohtani, and several others within minutes but politely declined to ensure they got the best deal," the report detailed.
Ohtani's Historic Performance
Last Thursday's game was historic for Shohei Ohtani, who became the first MLB player to join the 50-50 club (50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season). The Japanese star hit his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs of the season and stole his 50th and 51st bases. Overall, he recorded six hits, including two doubles, four runs scored, 10 RBIs, and two stolen bases.