**Shohei Ohtani’s Historic 50/50 Home Run Ball Hits Collectibles Market**

The landmark 50/50 home run ball hit by Shohei Ohtani has been sent to the collectibles marketplace Goldin with bidding set to begin on Friday. Ohtani, a standout for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. This extraordinary achievement was capped off with a remarkable performance against the Miami Marlins on September 19, where he hit three home runs and stole two bases.

Ken Goldin, the founder and CEO of Goldin, described the consignment as one of the simplest they have ever handled. Shortly after Ohtani's record-breaking game on Thursday, the fan who caught the ball, and prefers to remain anonymous, reached out to Goldin via social media. By Monday, a security guard and a Goldin representative had secured the ball.

According to reports from Fox Sports 640's Andy Slater, the Dodgers initially offered the fan $300,000 for the ball. However, this offer was declined, and the ball went to auction with an opening bid of $500,000. Goldin, now under the eBay umbrella, noted that potential buyers could purchase the ball outright for $4,500,000 from September 27 to October 9. If the bidding exceeds $3,000,000 before October 9, the option for a private purchase will be removed, and the baseball will go to competitive auction.

Bidding for the historic baseball is expected to intensify, particularly with the Dodgers' playoff prospects and the anticipation of Ohtani potentially securing the Most Valuable Player award. Goldin emphasized the global reach of both Goldin and eBay, suggesting that international interest could drive the final sale price even higher.

The current highest price paid for a baseball remains the $3.05 million spent on Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball in 1999. In recent auctions, other significant sales included Aaron Judge's American League record-breaking 62nd home run ball, which fetched $1.5 million, the second-highest amount for a baseball sold at auction.

Goldin remarked on Ohtani's unique status in the sport, labeling him an "incredibly unique" athlete who excels both as a hitter and pitcher. Considering his versatility and extraordinary talent, Goldin believes Ohtani has the potential to redefine records and become the face of Major League Baseball for years to come.