Otani No. 50 home run ball ahead of auction
Teenage boy “I caught him…
Civil suit filed for “ball being forcibly taken away”
A spectator wearing a black T-shirt (center, yellow circle) picks up Ohtani’s 50th home run ball and holds it up during the 7th inning of the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Miami Marlins held at Londipo Park in Miami, Florida, USA on the 19th (local time). there is. /Photo = Video capture from SNS ‘naptimefan’ account. Superstar Shohei Ohtani (30, Los Angeles Dodgers)’s home run ball, which achieved records of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in an American baseball Major League (MLB) season, is on the auction market, and a teenager is filing a civil lawsuit claiming ownership of the ball. It is reported that a lawsuit has been filed.
On the 27th (local time), Yahoo Sports reported that 18-year-old Max Matus, who lives in Florida, claimed to be the rightful owner of the home run ball and sued auctioneer Goldin, Chris Belanski, who caught the ball on the field, and Belanski’s friend Kelvin Ramirez. It was reported that a civil suit was filed against him.
Matus succeeded in catching Ohtani’s home run ball at the stadium on the 19th, when he visited to celebrate his 18th birthday, but he claims that Belansky put his arm between his legs and stole the ball from his hand. Matus said, “The ball was forcibly taken away.”
Superstar Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers) started as the number one designated hitter in the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) visiting game against the Miami Marlins held at Londipo Park in Miami, Florida, USA on the 19th (local time) and hit 50 home runs. -Recorded a record of 50 stolen bases. This is the first time in history that MLB has had a 50-50 record in a season. Photo = Yonhap News Matus is demanding that the auction of this home run ball be stopped and stored in a mutually agreed upon safe location pending the outcome of the lawsuit. However, the auction company plans to proceed with the auction as planned. Goldin told the multinational sports media ESPN, “I have reviewed the photos, charges, and public videos included in the complaint,” and said, “I plan to participate in the auction.”
Meanwhile, the auction for Ohtani’s home run ball begins on the 27th. The minimum bid is $500,000 (about 670 million won), and you can purchase it immediately by offering $4.5 million (6 billion won). On the 19th, Ohtani became the first MLB player to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season. The home run ball went over the left wall, and about 10 spectators threw themselves to catch the ball. Among them, Belansky is known to have caught the ball that fell under the table.
ESPN reported, “The Dodgers offered a reward of $300,000 (400 million won) to return the ball, but the spectator refused.” According to the Guinness World Records website, the most expensive home run ball sold at auction was the 70th ball of the season hit by Mark McGwire in 1998, which was sold for $3.054 million (4.08 billion won) in 1999.
Hong Min-seong, Hankyung.com reporter mshong@hankyung.com
