Ohtani’s 50th Home Run Ball at Center of Ownership Dispute

A spectator wearing a black T-shirt (center, yellow circle) picks up Ohtani’s 50th home run ball and holds it up during the 7th inning of the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Miami Marlins at Londipo Park in Miami, Florida, USA on the 19th (local time).

The home run ball of Superstar Shohei Ohtani, who achieved a record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in an American Major League Baseball (MLB) season, is on the auction market. However, a teenager has filed a civil lawsuit claiming ownership of the ball.

According to Yahoo Sports, 18-year-old Max Matus, who lives in Florida, claimed he was the rightful owner of the home run ball and sued Goldin’s auctioneer Chris Belanski, who caught the ball on the field, and Belanski’s friend Kelvin Ramirez.

Matus managed to catch Ohtani’s home run ball at the stadium on the 19th, when he visited to celebrate his 18th birthday, but claims Belansky put his arm between his legs and stole the ball from his hand. Matus said, “The ball was taken away by force.”

Superstar Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers) started as the designated hitter in the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) road game against the Miami Marlins held at Londipo Park in Miami, Florida, USA on the 19th (local time) and hit 50 home runs. – Recorded a record 50 stolen bases. This is the first time in MLB history that a season has had a 50-50 record.

Matus is demanding that the auction of this home run ball be stopped and stored in a mutually agreed upon safe location pending the outcome of the lawsuit. However, the auction company intends to proceed with the auction as planned.

The auction for Ohtani’s home run ball begins on the 27th. The minimum bid is $500,000, and you can buy it immediately by bidding $4.5 million. On the 19th, Ohtani became the first MLB player to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season.

According to the Guinness World Records website, the most expensive home run ball sold at auction was the 70th ball of the season hit by Mark McGwire in 1998, which sold for $3.054 million in 1999.