Shohei Ohtani’s historic 50th home run ball faces legal battle ahead of auction

Jack Aylmer

THIS COULD BE ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE AUCTIONS OF SPORTS MEMORABILIA EVER-

IF IT HAPPENS.

WHEN LOS ANGELES DODGERS STAR SHOHEI OHTANI HIT HIS 50TH HOME RUN OF THE SEASON LAST WEEK-

THE JAPANESE SLUGGER MADE BASEBALL HISTORY BY BECOMING THE FIRST MLB PLAYER EVER TO HIT 50 HOMERS AND STEAL 50 BASES IN A SINGLE SEASON.

THE BALL WHICH MADE OHTANI THE INAUGURAL MEMBER OF THIS 50-50 CLUB IS NOW HEADED TO AUCTION-

WHERE ITS EXPECTED TO FETCH AS MUCH AS FOUR AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS WHEN BIDDING OPENS THIS WEEK.

BUT 18 YEAR OLD MAX MATUS HAS FILED A LAWSUIT TO TRY AND PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING.

HE CLAIMS TO BE THE RIGHTFUL OWNER OF THE BALL-

WITH HIS SUIT SAYING TWO MEN, CHRIS BELANSKI AND KELVIN RAMIREZ, QUOTE “WRONGFULLY AND FORCEFULLY” OBTAINED POSSESSION OF THE BALL FROM HIM IN THE STANDS-

WRESTLING IT AWAY AFTER MATUS HAD CAUGHT IT.

THE LAWSUIT SEEKS TO PUT AN INJUNCTION ON THE BALL’S IMPENDING AUCTION-

AND ASKS THAT IT BE KEPT IN A SECURE LOCATION MUTUALLY AGREED UPON BY BOTH PARTIES PENDING THE LITIGATION’S OUTCOME.

GOLDIN AUCTIONS, THE AUCTION HOUSE HANDLING THE BALL’S SALE, IS ALSO NAMED IN THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

IN A STATEMENT TO ESPN, GOLDIN AUCTIONS SAID THAT AFTER REVIEWING THE SUIT, AS WELL AS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE VIDEO FROM THE GAME-

THEY PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD WITH AUCTIONING OFF THE BALL.

MEANWHILE, A HEARING ON THE MATTER HAS STILL YET TO BE SCHEDULED.

JACK AYLMER – STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS.