Shohei Ohtani’s historic 50th home run ball from the 2024 MLB season has just smashed auction records, fetching an astounding £3.39 million ($4.4 million). This jaw-dropping price makes it the most expensive sports ball ever sold, eclipsing the previous record of £2.3 million for Mark McGwire’s 1998 ball.
The Japanese superstar, who joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, made history by becoming the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. However, the ownership of the ball, famously dubbed the ‘50-50 ball,’ remains in dispute, embroiled in a lawsuit over who actually caught it.
Despite the controversy, the auction proceeded with full assurance to the buyer. This record-breaking sale cements Ohtani’s meteoric rise as a global sports icon, just days before his Dodgers face off against the Yankees in the World Series.
