Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, which wound up being the difference in the team’s 5-4 win over the San Francisco Giants.
Ambar Roman was the lucky fan who retrieved the ball while seated in the right field pavilion. Ohtani’s first home run with the Dodgers is estimated to be worth $100,000, but she ultimately agreed to exchange it for a pair of autographed hats, an autographed bat and autographed ball.
Roman’s husband, Alexis Valenzuela, detailed the experience and was disappointed with the way the Dodgers handled the situation. He accused the team’s security staff of separating him from his wife and pressuring her into accepting a low-ball offer.
After receiving criticism on social media, the Dodgers said they are willing to continue talks with the fan who caught Ohtani’s home run ball, via Sam Blum of The Athletic:
A Dodgers official said Ambar Roman and her husband, Alexis Valenzuela, have been invited to an on-field experience at Dodger Stadium. The team also said it will review its ballpark processes for retrieving milestone baseballs.
While some believe the Dodgers wronged Roman, she initially expressed happiness with the exchange on Twitter after the game.
In most cases, fans who catch milestone home run balls usually get the opportunity to meet the player after the game. However, Roman did not speak with Ohtani despite that previously being suggested had happened.
“Obviously, it’s a very special ball,” Ohtani said through translator Will Ireton. “A lot of feelings toward it. I’m very grateful it’s back.”
Ohtani’s answer in Japanese did not explicitly state he met with the fan who caught the home run ball, but those fluent in the language came away with that impression as well.
Shohei Ohtani ‘very relieved’ to hit first Dodgers home run
Ohtani, who led the American League with 44 home runs last season, went 40 plate appearances before hitting his first one with the Dodgers. “Honestly, very relieved that I was able to hit my first homer,” Ohtani said.
“It’s been a while and honestly my swing hasn’t been great. So overall, very relieved.”
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