Freeman WS's first walk-off grand slam home run ball beat 62nd in the bid for 2.2 billion wonThe owner of the ball if it's on display at Just Stadium
Dec 16, 2024
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ESPN reported on the 16th (Korea time) that Freeman's walk-off Grand Slam home run ball in Game 1 of the World Series against the New York Yankees was sold for $1.56 million (about 2.24 billion won), including buyer's premium at an SCP auction.
Freeman's home run ball became the third most expensive home run ball of all time, following Shohei Ohtani's 50th home run ball ($4.392 million) of the season, which made the first 50 home runs-50 steals in history, and Mark Maguire's 70th home run ball ($3 million) of the season in 1998. Yankees Aaron Judge, who was previously ranked third, exceeded his 62nd home run ball ($1.5 million) of the season in 2022.
Freeman led the team to a walk-off victory in the bottom of the 10th inning with the bases loaded with two outs and a 93-mile fastball from left-hander Nester Cortes to hit a grand slam well over the right fence in Game 1 of the World Series against the Yankees at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 26. At the time, manager Dave Roberts exclaimed, `It's the greatest home run I've ever witnessed.'
With his first walk-off grand slam in the World Series, Freeman was also honored with a .300 batting average (6 hits in 20 at-bats), four homers, 12 RBIs and an OPS of 1.364 in five games.
"We are honored to be here to cover the most important items in the history of the World Series, which began in 1903," SCP Auction President David Kohler said in a press release.
However, the fan who picked up the home run ball was a 10-year-old child, making headlines. On the same day, a child named Jack Ruderman left school early because his parents asked him to go to the dentist to take out his braces, and he was surprised to take him to the ballpark. When Freeman's home run ball landed on the floor under Jack's front seat, his father snatched it and became the owner.
The Ruderman family said in a press release that they hope the home run ball will be displayed at Dodger Stadium someday" indicated the wind. Jack then said of the situation where he caught the home run ball "It was awesome. The ball rolled to the floor after it fell, and as soon as I saw it, I hit my father and sent it to him, who caught it and gave it back to me. It was the best moment of my life" he said.
Jack's father Nico said "Everyone was great. People around us congratulated me. They asked me to take a picture together. The right-hand side of the stand was a really happy atmosphere."
jhno@sportschosun.com
