Shohei Ohtani, the sensational two-way player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has made history once again with his 50th home run that founded the exclusive 50-50 club. Now, fans and collectors have the opportunity to own a piece of baseball history as Goldin auctions off the historic baseball.
The bidding for Ohtani’s 50th home run baseball will begin at noon ET on Friday, with the opening bid set at $500,000. For those looking to secure this iconic item, there is also an option to purchase it outright for $4.5 million between Sept. 27 and Oct. 9. However, if the bidding reaches $3 million before the deadline, the private purchase option will be removed, and interested parties must bid for the baseball.
If the baseball sells for $4.5 million or more, it will break the current record of $3.005 million paid for Mark McGwire’s 70th home run ball in 1998. Ken Goldin, the founder and CEO of Goldin, expressed excitement about this unique opportunity for collectors, calling Ohtani’s 50-50 record a crowning achievement in his career.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
It’s HERE! Presenting Shohei Ohtani’s 50th HOME RUN BASEBALL from his HISTORIC game when he joined the 50/50 Club. This one-of-a-kind baseball will be available in our special “Shohei Ohtani 50/50 Auction”. pic.twitter.com/uIQviGUHdH
— Goldin (@GoldinCo) September 25, 2024
Ohtani’s historic feat of hitting three home runs in a single game against the Miami Marlins on Sept. 19 propelled him into the 50-50 club, as he reached 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. His 50th home run came in the seventh inning on a curveball from Mike Baumann that sailed into the left field bar at loanDepot Park.
The baseball that marked this milestone was caught by a lucky fan at the game, who later handed it over to Goldin for this exclusive auction. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of baseball history and commemorate Ohtani’s incredible achievement!
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(Photo: Megan Briggs / Getty Images)
