Despite not having a player in the MLB post-season, Taiwan has made headlines as a local company won an auction for a historic baseball that concluded days ahead of the World Series.
The company secured the 50th home run ball hit by Japanese slugger Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers for US$4.392 million in an auction held by Goldin Auctions, the auctioneer said on Wednesday.
Ken Goldin, founder of the platform, said in a video on Instagram on Thursday that the winning bidder was from Taiwan, but he kept the company’s name under wraps.
Photo: AP
“A lot of people think the baseball is going to Japan. It is not... A corporation in Taiwan, who loves baseball, and who loves Shohei Ohtani, and who certainly would look to share his treasures with the world, has won the auction,” Goldin said.
“Their identity will be revealed in person when they visit Goldin Auctions shortly after the World Series,” he said, adding that bidders from four nations participated.
The sale price was the highest ever for any ball in any sport, according to a social media post by Goldin Auctions. It shattered the previous record of US$3.005 million set by Mark McGwire’s 70th home run ball in 1998.
The Ohtani home run ball, hit during a 20-4 Dodgers victory over the Miami Marlins on Sept. 19, established the Japanese star as the first in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season.
Ohtani after the game said that the park in Miami had become his “favorite” as it was also where he helped Japan win last year’s World Baseball Classic.
The ball was caught by Chris Belanski, who listed it on the Goldin platform to auction off the ball starting at US$500,000 on Sept. 27. However, two other people have also claimed ownership of the ball and filed lawsuits.
Despite the ongoing litigation, all parties agreed to proceed with the auction.
While fans are familiar with Ohtani’s speed, he had limited his attempts to steal bases to avoid injuries prior to this season, never stealing more than 26 since 2021.
As he recovered from an elbow injury that kept him off the mound this season, Ohtani became a full-time designated hitter and showcased his batting prowess, finishing the season with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases, both the second-most in the majors, while batting .310.
Ohtani is likely to win his third Most Valuable Player award, his first in the National League.
The auction set the stage for the World Series, where the likely regular-season Most Valuable Players of both the American League and National League are to face off in a best-of-seven series, starting this morning Taiwan time in Los Angeles.
Ohtani’s Dodgers are taking on the New York Yankees, led by captain Aaron Judge, who hit 58 home runs this season.
The series is expected to draw the highest TV ratings in years.
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