Shohei Ohtani’s record-setting 50th home run ball sold for $4.392 million at auction last month, making it the most expensive baseball, or any ball used in professional sports history.
The winning bid was made by a Taiwanese private investment company, UC Capital. Bidding for Ohtani’s home run ball was overseen by world-renowned auction house Goldin who has a reputation for its rare and record-breaking sports memorabilia sales.
“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,” Goldin founder and CEO Ken Goldin said of the sale.
“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.”
Security guards oversaw Shohei Ohtani's 50/50 home run ball while it was on display at the Dream High Exhibition in Taiwan ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/gTFMqOpGiI
— MLB (@MLB) November 13, 2024
Now in the hands of the Taiwanese people, Ohtani’s home run ball is currently on display in Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan. There it is being held in Taipei 101, a 101-story skyscraper and the tallest building in the country, for the purpose of continuing the growth of baseball among the people.
Bodyguards are positioned around the record baseball to protect against potential theft.
Taiwan has been a participant in every single World Baseball Classic tournament up to this point, and maintained its status as one of the better baseball playing countries.
But despite being tied with Mexico as the second-best country according to the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), Taiwan have not made a semifinal in any of the three WBC tournaments. That includes two consecutive bottom-of the-table finishes in the group stage.
Shohei Ohtani wins third career Silver Slugger
Ohtani was pretty much a lock to win the National League Silver Slugger Award as designated hitter due to his 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases.
Ohtani led the NL in RBI, on-base percentage, and slugging. He was only .004 percentage points from becoming the first triple crown winner in the NL since Joe Medwick of the St. Louis Cardinals back in 1937.
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