You said it was a 'moon landing class' achievement and it was less than $1 million? `Otani 50-50 Home Run Ball, Cheaper Than Jersey No. 62' U.S. Media
Sep 20, 2024
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On the 20th (Korea time), Ohtani became the first 50-50 member in major league history by hitting 51 homers and 51 steals in a game against the Miami Marlins at Rondipo Park in Miami, Florida.
Ohtani hit three consecutive home runs in the sixth, seventh and ninth innings, surpassing 50 home runs in the season.
Ohtani, who fired his 49th cannon of the season in the sixth inning with one out and a runner on the second base with a 7-3 lead, scored his 50th home run of the season in the seventh inning with a 12-3 lead. With two outs and a runner on third base, right-hander Mike Baumann pushed an 89.1-mile knuckle curve outside the fourth pitch and connected it with a two-run homer over the left fence. With a shooting angle of 27 degrees, a batting speed of 109.7 miles and a driving distance of 391 feet, this is the home run that has completed 50-50 games.
Ohtani's cannon didn't stop here. In the top of the ninth inning with two outs and runners on first and second bases, right-hander Vidal Bruhan pulled a high fastball in the middle of the third pitch of 68.3 miles and crossed the right-center fence.
Ohtani had six hits and 10 RBIs, including three homers. Home runs, hits, and RBIs are all high in his one-game career. In addition, Ohtani is the first player in Major League history to record 10 RBIs, 6 hits, 5 long hits, multiple home runs, and multiple steals in a game.
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How much is this ball worth. Dillon Kohler of SCP Auction, a local auction house, told NBC in an interview that `It is clear that it is an object of considerable historical value. It's not surprising if it's more than $300,000. Maybe more than half a million dollars."
He then said "I want to say strike when the iron is hot. Numerous collectors and fans will want to have the ball. He wants to own it as his own collection. We need to put it on the market as soon as possible, but now is the time." In other words, it means that you can receive more than $500,000 only when you put the ball up for auction now, which has the largest number of people who want it.
Ohtani's 50th home run ball landed near the Dodgers bullpen behind the left fence at Rondipo Park. It is not yet known who is the fan who picked up the home run ball after being bound several times. However, according to local media, the fan appears to have negotiated with the Dodgers once.
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The highest-priced home run ball ever sold was Mark McGuire's 70th ball of the season in 1998 and was auctioned for $3 million. Albert Pujols' 700th career home run sold for $360,000, while Aaron Judge's 62nd home run ball in 2022 sold for $1.5 million at auction.
CBS Sports said 'Otani is a global icon. A 50-50 home run ball cannot affect the price of Maguire or Judge's home run ball, but it's worth quite a lot, and it can't be transferred to a bat or self-camera that's signed. Even if the fan returns the ball to Ohtani and the Dodgers, it is wise to receive proper compensation.'
Considering the evaluation of local experts and media, Ohtani's 50th home run ball is worth less than $1 million.
Meanwhile, ESPN said of Ohtani's 50-50: "'Roal Amun conquers Antarctica, Charles Lindberg crosses the Atlantic Ocean without landing, and Neil Armstrong lands on the moon. The most impossible player I've ever seen has achieved the impossible."
jhno@sportschosun.com
