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There appears to be some controversy brewing regarding Shohei Ohtani’s record-breaking home run.
On Thursday night, Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and grab 50 steals in a season.
After hitting his 50th home run, a mad scramble ensued among fans to grab the ball.
In the best video of the struggle for the Ohtani 50th home run ball, it looks like the roughly 30-year age difference won out.
(Credit: Justin Walka) pic.twitter.com/mFl0GuXh08
— cllct (@cllctMedia) September 20, 2024
One of the fans involved in the scramble for the ball was an 18-year-old celebrating his birthday, who claims he had the ball ripped out of his hands by an older man.
Via Darren Rovell and Will Stern cllct.com
Matus, who celebrated his 18th birthday Thursday, was standing just inside the bullpen door. When the ball fell, he rushed to it as others came from the opposite side.
“The ball bounced off the table, and it went under, and I grabbed it,” Matus told cllct right before school on Friday morning. “Then the other guy had my hand between his legs holding my arm and took the ball from my hand.”
That man, a 50-something in a black T-shirt, then emerged from the scrum screaming, telling Matus,”I got it!”
The high school senior, realizing in the moment how close he was to history and riches, let out an understandable expletive as stadium security ushered the man to a private location, where reportedly some negotiations took place before the fan decided he was going to leave the stadium with the ball.
According to Ken Goldin of Goldin Auctions, the Ohtania ball is worth $250k.
Ken Goldin of Goldin Auctions, whose company sold Aaron Judge’s American League-record 62nd home run ball for $1.5 million in 2022, estimates Ohtani’s record ball, as well as his bat, would be valued at $250,000 each.
“This accomplishment will cement his place in history as a one-of-a-kind talent,” Goldin said. “His items are in exceptionally high demand throughout the world, due to his universal appeal.”
The fact Ohtani had such an epic game means the price rises for everything, said eBay power seller Rick Probstein, who said the bat and the jersey are worth $300,000 each in his opinion.
“It’s connected to one of the best games ever,” Probstein said.