Shohei Ohtani’s 50th Home Run Ball: A Record-Setting Auction and Future Value Predictions

The historic baseball that Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hit out of Miami’s LoanDepot Park last month has now become the most expensive baseball ever sold at auction. At an auction hosted by Goldin, the ball fetched an astounding price of $4.39 million. This ball marked Ohtani’s 50th home run of the season, making him the first player in Major League Baseball (MLB) history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.

With this sale, the ball surpasses the previous record held by Mark McGwire’s 70th home run ball from 1998, which sold for $3.005 million. Ohtani’s ball also outperformed Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run ball from the 2022 season, which sold for $1.5 million.

Shohei Ohtani’s 50th Home Run Ball

On September 19, shortly after Ohtani’s historic achievement against the Miami Marlins, a fan, now identified as Christian Zacek, reportedly snagged the ball in the stands. After a brief discussion with the Dodgers organization, he chose to keep the ball. At that time, auction experts estimated the memorabilia could sell for upwards of $500,000, which was the starting bid.

Ken Goldin, founder and CEO of Goldin, commented on the sale in a press statement: “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. 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.”

While it was easy to find a buyer for the ball, questions remain about whose account the proceeds from the sale will be deposited into. Florida resident Max Matus filed a lawsuit claiming he was the rightful owner of the memento and that Zacek wrestled it out of his hand. Another Sunshine State resident, Joseph Davidov, also filed a claim to ownership. However, a judge ultimately ruled that the auction would proceed as planned, although both cases remain open.

Value Prediction for the Ball in 2030

When we look at other significant auction results in the sports memorabilia market, we can see a clear trend: the values of rare and iconic sports items tend to rise dramatically over time. One example is the recent sale of Michael Jordan’s game jersey from 1998, which fetched $10.1 million. These developments suggest that Ohtani’s 50th home run ball could appreciate in value by 2030.

Value Prediction: $6-8 million by 2030

Justification:

1. Uniqueness and Historical Significance: Ohtani is the first player to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. This accomplishment could prove historically significant, further increasing the collector’s value of the ball.
   
2. Growing Popularity of Ohtani: As Ohtani’s fame continues to rise, along with his potential induction into the Hall of Fame, the value of his memorabilia is likely to soar.
   
3. Inflation and Market Trends: The general market prices for sports memorabilia have increased significantly in recent years, indicating that this trend could continue. Particularly for high-profile items, an increase in value over time is not uncommon.

Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball will not only go down in history as the most expensive baseball ever auctioned, but it will also serve as a valuable collectible that is likely to gain even more significance and value in the coming years.

Image source © Goldin