Los Angeles Dodgers Star Shohei Ohtani made history Thursday night, becoming the first major leaguer to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season, but he won’t have the home run to remember it with.
Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reported that an unidentified fan decided to keep Ohtani’s 50-50 baseball during the Dodgers’ 20-4 rout of the Dodgers. Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park on Thursday night.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with teammates after hitting a grand slam in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles on August 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Fans who snag historic baseballs typically return them to teams for perks, but selling such an item on the market could prove more valuable.
According to MLB.com, Aaron’s Judge The 62nd home run of the 2022 season sold at auction for $1.5 million. But the most expensive baseball ever sold was Mark McGwire’s 70th home run from the 1998 season. It sold the following year for $3 million.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a grand slam in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles on August 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
DODGERS’ SHOHEI OHTANI BECOMES FIRST IN MLB HISTORY WITH 50 HOME RUNS AND 50 STEALS IN A SINGLE SEASON
Mish noted that a special ball was used during Ohtani’s at-bat, meaning the baseball was authenticated.
Another fan nearly caught the ball (and possibly won a lot of money). The Marlins’ broadcast showed the fan out of range, missing the ball — not once, but twice. The man reached out after Ohtani hit the ball to the left side of the field and missed. But the ball bounced, giving him another chance. He missed again.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates as he runs the bases after his solo home run during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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Ohtani hit three home runs and stole two bases against Miami to reach that milestone. The win also earned the Dodgers a playoff berth.
“It’s something I wanted to get over as quickly as possible. And you know, it’s something I’m going to cherish for a very long time,” Ohtani said through an interpreter after the game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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