Shohei Ohtani: Ball for historic 50th home run for sale at $4.5m
Ohtani’s 50th homer – a team record – came in the seventh innings and the fan who caught it reportedly turned down the Dodgers’ offer to purchase the ball for $300,000 (£225,000).
The fan reached out to Goldin auction house the following day and has opted to remain anonymous.
“This was one of the easiest [consignments] ever,” Goldin’s founder and chief executive Ken Goldin told ESPN.
“Literally Friday we heard from the guy, he contacted Goldin on his own through social media, flew a security guard down to Miami on Monday with a representative from Goldin, met him, flew back Monday.”
Ohtani has since extended his mark to 53 home runs and 55 stolen bases, with five games of the regular season remaining.
He will then play in the MLB play-offs for the first time as the Dodgers have already secured a spot in the post-season.
