Shohei Ohtani’s historic homerun ball could sell for up to $4.5MILLION

Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 home run ball has been signed by collectors marketplace Goldin and could fetch up to $4.5 million when bidding begins Friday.

On September 19, the Los Angeles Dodgers star became the first and only player in MLB to hit 50 home runs and 50 base steals in the same season, hitting three homers and stealing three bases against the Marlins.

While I was talking to ESPNGoldin founder and CEO Ken Goldin on how they managed to sign the piece.

This was one of the easiest [consignments] ever,’ Goldin shared. ‘Ohtani [hits 50] Thursday, literally Friday, we heard from this guy. He reached out to Goldin himself on social media, had a security guard fly a Goldin representative to Miami on Monday, met him, and flew back on Monday.

Goldin added that the co-signer, who wishes to remain anonymous, has not contacted other auction houses.

The ball from Ohtani’s September 16 game against the Marlins was co-signed by Goldin

This is one of those cases where our reputation for getting the absolute highest price for popular items [came] “In the game,” Goldin said. “Honestly, we had no competition at all.”

Fox Sports 640’s Andy Slater reported that the Dodgers offered $300,000 to the fan who caught the ball on Ohtani’s 50th home run. The team could not be reached for comment, ESPN reported.

The opening bid with Goldin starts at $500,000. However, potential buyers “will have the opportunity to purchase the baseball outright for $4,500,000 exclusively between September 27 and October 9; however, if the bid reaches $3,000,000 prior to October 9, the option to purchase privately will no longer be available and interested parties must compete and bid on the baseball.”

The extended bidding period begins on October 16 at 10:00 p.m. ET.

“My position was the auction route was the best route as soon as possible,” Goldin said. “It’s timely; the Dodgers are going to the playoffs, Ohtani is easily going to be the Most Valuable Player, let’s do this while Ohtani is on everyone’s mind.

“What was also very important to the consignor is the global and worldwide reach that both Goldin and eBay have. It is certainly possible that someone outside of the United States is going to win this baseball game.”

The current record in baseball is the $3.05 million paid by Mark McGwire for his 70th home run in 1999. The artwork was purchased by comic book magnate Todd McFarlane Toys.

Goldin also co-signed Aaron Judge’s record-tying 62nd home run ball in the AL in late 2022. The piece sold for $1.5 million after seller Cory Youmans rejected a $3 million offer for the ball.