Shohei Ohtani's historic 50th home run ball sells for staggering amount ahead of his World Series debut

Just days distant from his World Series debut, Shohei Ohtani's historical 50th location tally shot of nan play has been sold astatine auction for a whopping $2.3 million.

Japan's astir celebrated jock became nan first subordinate successful shot history to deed 50 homers and bargain 50 bases successful a season, reaching nan milestone connected September 19 erstwhile nan Los Angeles Dodgers prima deed his 2nd of 3 homers against nan Marlins.

With 27 bids connected nan books, Goldin.co closed nan online auction connected Tuesday nighttime without identifying nan buyer.

The auction has been somewhat overshadowed by nan ineligible business surrounding nan ball. Christian Zacek walked retired of Miami's LoanDepot Park pinch nan shot aft gaining possession successful nan left-field stands. Max Matus and Joseph Davidov each declare successful abstracted lawsuits that they grabbed nan shot first.

Zacek was identified arsenic Chris Belanski successful nan first lawsuits. Matus' updated suit — obtained by The Associated Press connected Friday — changes nan defendant's sanction to Zacek and removes Goldin Auctions arsenic a defendant.

'The statement pinch Goldin to waste nan shot is pinch Christian Zacek,' Matus' lawyer John Uustal said successful a statement. 'It is apparently nan aforesaid personification astatine nan ballpark, who whitethorn person been listed arsenic Belanski astatine nan stadium.

'He has been difficult to place and way down astatine slightest since a fewer days aft nan game. But regardless, nan tribunal now has power complete nan proceeds of nan auction, and our suit is against Zacek who signed nan statement pinch Goldin.'

All nan parties progressive successful nan litigation person agreed nan auction should continue.

'This statement provides certainty to imaginable buyers that nan historical 50/50 shot will beryllium sold free and clear of immoderate ineligible claims to nan shot against nan early buyer,' Zacek's attorneys said successful a statement. 'We judge that this statement reflects each parties' nickname of this monumental accomplishment and will let nan afloat worth of this historical 50/50 shot to beryllium afloat recognized astatine nan auction.'

Matus' suit claims that nan Florida resident — who was celebrating his 18th day — gained possession of nan Ohtani shot earlier Zacek took it away. Davidov claims successful his suit that he was capable to 'firmly and wholly drawback nan shot successful his near manus while it was connected nan ground, successfully obtaining possession of nan 50/50 ball.'

Davidov is seeking much than $50,000 successful damages.