Ohtani's historic 50-50 ball auction sold for nearly $4.4M amid ongoing dispute over ownership

Shohei Ohtani's 50th home run ball has sold at auction for nearly $4.4 million, a record price not just for a baseball, but for any ball in any game, the auctioneer said Wednesday.

Ohtani was done First player in baseball history to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases In a season, the milestone was reached on September 19 when the Los Angeles Dodgers star hit the second of his three homers against the Marlins.

“We received bids from around the world, a testament to the significance of this iconic collection and Ohtani's impact on sports, and I am thrilled for the winning bidder,” Ken Goldin, founder and CEO of auctioneer Goldin Auctions, said in a statement. .

The auction opened on September 27 with a starting bid of $500,000 and closed just after midnight on Wednesday. The auctioneer said it cannot disclose any information about the winning bidder.

Printed by Auction The case regarding the ownership of the ball. Christian Jacek walked out of Miami's Londepot Park with the ball after getting possession in the left-field stands. Max Matus and Joseph Davidov each claimed in separate lawsuits that they caught the ball first.

All parties involved in the case have agreed to proceed with the auction.

Matus' lawsuit claims the Florida resident — who was celebrating his 18th birthday — got possession of the ball before Jacek grabbed it. Davydov claims in his suit that he was able to “hold the ball firmly and fully with his left hand while it was on the ground, successfully obtaining 50/50 ball possession.”

Ohtani and the Dodgers are preparing for Game 1 of the World Series scheduled for Friday night.