Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“The ball hit by Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani for his 50th home run of the Major League Baseball season has sold for a record £3.4m ($4.4m) at auction. The Japanese hitter, 30, became the first player in baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season during his side’s match against the Miami Marlins on 19 September. The £3.4m paid by the unknown buyer is the most a sports ball has ever fetched at auction. The previous record paid at auction for a baseball was the £2.3m ($3m) paid in 1999 for Mark McGwire’s record-breaking ball from the 1998 MLB season. Full ownership of Ohtani’s ball, known as the ’50-50 ball,’ is disputed and is currently the subject of a lawsuit in Florida. Max Matus, 18, said in a legal claim that he grabbed Ohtani’s 50th homer and another fan wrestled it from his hand.” (10/23/24)