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.
Inter on Sunday were given a letoff when they snatched a late 1-1 derby draw with AC Milan, while league leaders SSC Napoli were held by a late goal at AS Roma. Reigning champions Inter remain three points behind Napoli, who looked to be heading five clear as they led in Rome until Angelino volleyed in a stunning leveler in the first minute of stoppage-time. Angelino’s strike gave even more significance to Stefan de Vrij’s last-gasp equalizer at the San Siro. The defender forced home Nicola Zalewski’s knockdown just as it looked like Tijjani Reijnders’ opener would be enough for Milan. “I can
The Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets on Saturday did not disappoint in a thrilling midseason matchup in front of a fired-up sellout crowd of more than 18,500 fans. The top two teams in the NHL delivered with a combined nine goals, including the 877th of Alex Ovechkin’s career to put him 18 back of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record. That tied the score, the Jets pulled it out in overtime and just about everyone involved got their money’s worth out of the 5-4 game. “We knew how we were both sitting in the standings and both having real good years,” Winnipeg coach Scott
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about ￡2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Less than a week after splashing out a world-record fee for Naomi Girma, Chelsea has spent big again to bring England midfielder Keira Walsh back to the English Women’s Super League. Walsh left European champions Barcelona after more than two years to join Chelsea for a reported ￡400,000 (US$496,000) on Friday. Walsh was the world’s most expensive player for two years after moving to Barcelona from Manchester City for a reported ￡400,000 in 2022. That status now belongs to Girma, the US defender who cost Chelsea a reported ￡900,000 to sign from the San Diego Wave. Still, it means 27-year-old Walsh — a technically
RSS