Shohei Ohtani has become a major star in the MLB and could have one of his home run balls sold for a major price. The Japanese star hit his 176th career homer on April 21 of this year. That home run was a record-breaking moment for Ohtani.
Shohei's record-breaking 176th homer was a sight to see. pic.twitter.com/hHJEk4i9IP
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 21, 2024
He passed former New York Yankees player Hideki Matsui for the most homers all-time by a Japanese-born player in the MLB. That home run ball is now set to go up for auction. The fan who caught the ball, Jason Patino, told TMZ Sports that he had planned to keep the ball but recently changed his mind when he realized how much the ball could go for.
The Ohtani home run ball is being listed at Heritage Auctions, and the starting bid is set at $50,000. The bidding will open on August 23, and it is expected to be a highly sought-after item due to Ohtani’s rising popularity. A baseball card featuring the signature of Ohtani and legend Babe Ruth recently sold for $110,000. The 30-year-old has become one of the most popular sports figures in the United States since his MLB debut in 2018.
In his seventh season, Ohtani has 35 home runs, bringing his total to 206. He is batting .298 with an NL-best 1.001 OPS. Ohtani is a favorite for his second straight MVP award and third overall.
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WBN Ohtani Coverage: https://worldbaseball.com/?s=ohtani
Photo Credit: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third inning at Dodger Stadium on August 09, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
