Shohei Ohtani’s Historic 50th Home Run Ball Sells For a Record $4.3 Million at Goldin
Shohei Ohtani’s historic 50th home run ball set a record for game-used baseballs. It is the highest-priced item ever sold at auction at Goldin Co.
Reprinted with permission from our sister publication, Sports Collectors Digest.
The baseball that Shohei Ohtani hit for his historic 50th home run this season sold for a record $4.3 million Wednesday at Goldin Co.
The auction officially closed on Oct. 23 at 12:26 a.m. ET, with the final price reaching $4,392,000 million, the highest sale price for a game-used baseball and the highest-priced item ever sold at auction by Goldin. Goldin estimated the ball would sell for between $3 and $5 million.
“Shohei Ohtani made history with this baseball, and now, with the highest sale price for any ball ever sold, this legendary piece of sports memorabilia has made history again,” said Ken Goldin, founder and CEO of Goldin. “We received bids from around the world, a testament to the significance of this iconic collectible and Ohtani’s impact on sports, and I’m thrilled for the winning bidder.”
Goldin announced the winning bidders on X.
On Sept. 19, Ohtani became the first MLB player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. Ohtani reached the historic milestone with an iconic performance against the Miami Marlins, going 6-for-6 with three home runs, two stolen bases, and 10 RBI. Ohtani finished the season with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases to become the first player in major league history with a 50/50 season.
The auction was held despite a lawsuit by two fans who both claim they retrieved the ball at the Sept. 19 game in Miami. The two fans agreed to allow the auction to continue despite the pending litigation.
The 50/50 ball shows notable game use, with black scuff marks and surface abrasions visible on the leather. In addition to the “Official Major League Baseball” stamping, it includes pencil annotations “4” and “3” as identifiers and an MLB Authenticated Hologram.
The Goldin auction opened at noon ET on Sept. 27 with an opening bid of $500,000. Within the first three weeks, the ball surpassed the $1.5 million sale of Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run ball, the second-highest priced baseball ever sold. The Ohtani 50/50 ball became the most-viewed listing and highest-priced item ever sold via auction in Goldin’s’ history.
Goldin has other coveted Ohtani items currently up for auction in its October Legends Elite Auction, including his 51st home run ball, which he hit the same night as his 50th home run. Also up for bid are Ohtani’s MLB debut game ball and a 2018 Bowman chrome signed rookie card. Extended bidding for these items begins on Nov. 2.
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Jeff Owens is the editor of Sports Collectors Digest.
