Breaking: Shohei Ohtani’s Historic 51st Home Run Ball Sells for $427000
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series in 2024, marking an incredible team accomplishment. It was the eighth title in franchise history for the Dodgers, who are one of the best-run organizations in sports.
However, the 2024 campaign also marked an incredible individual one for Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani, who signed a $700 million deal before the 2024 season, became the first player ever to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in a single year. Ohtani ended the year with 54 homers and 59 steals.
Back in October, Ohtani’s 50th home run ball sold for nearly $5 million, and now, his 51st home run ball has fetched a big price tag as well.
According to Darren Rovell of CLLCT, the ball sold for $427,000 at auction.
In most situations, a non-milestone ball wouldn’t be that newsworthy, but No. 51 was hit in the ninth inning of Ohtani’s famed 50-50 game, which is being called one of the greatest single performances in Major League Baseball history.
On Oct. 19, Ohtani, needed two steals and two homers to become the first major-leaguer to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases. After getting the stolen bases out of the way early, Ohtani hit No. 49 in the sixth inning, No. 50 in the seventh inning and No. 51 in the ninth, en route to a 6-for-6 performance with 10 RBIs.
Home run No. 50 sold for $4,392,000, a record for any home run ball.
