The historic ball from Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s 176th career home run is up for auction.
The fan that caught the record-breaking ball is selling the collectible via Heritage Auctions, according to TMZ Sports. The ball is projected to sell for as much as $200,000. Bidding officially opens later this month on Aug. 23.
The price tag for the Dodgers’ antique is no surprise given the celebrity status of Ohtani. A baseball card that featured Ohtani and legendary slugger Babe Ruth recently sold for more than $110,000.
Ohtani surpassed Hideki Matsui for the highest career home run total by a Japanese-born player in MLB on April 21. The Dodgers star homered off a pitch from right-hander Adrian Houser in the third inning of a 10-0 win over the New York Mets.
The blast, which left the bat at 110 mph and traveled approximately 423 feet per Statcast, landed in the right field pavilion of Dodger Stadium.
“I’m relieved and happy,” Ohtani told Sarah Wexler of MLB.com, following the historic feat. “I took a while to get this point since my last homer, so just honestly, happy, relieved.”
Matsui, the former title holder for Japanese slugging greatness in MLB, also shared his thoughts on Ohtani’s new record.
“His presence, his ability as a player, he’s just a great player,” Matsui said through an interpreter. “The numbers on my end are just not comparable. … I’m sure many of the fans have their expectations as far as what he may do, what he may accomplish. As far as myself, my hope is just that he stays healthy.”
Matsui played for the New York Yankees, Oakland A’s, Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays across 10 seasons in MLB.
The Dodgers’ slugger tied Matsui just a few weeks earlier in an 8-7 loss against division rivals, the San Diego Padres. In his first swing at the plate, Ohtani earned his 175th homer of his career to tie Matsui.
In May, the two-time AL MVP broke manager Dave Roberts’ record for most home runs by a Japanese-born player in Dodgers history.
Roberts, who was born in Naha, Okinawa, Japan, hit seven homers for Los Angeles from 2002-04.
Ohtani has changed the scope for Japanese-born MLB players and continues to add homers to the distinction as the season rolls on.
The Dodgers star continues to smash records as he chases his first MLB postseason.
The best part about all of this? Ohtani is making history in a Dodgers uniform.
Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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