Los Angeles superstar Shohei Ohtani had arguably the best game in MLB history on Thursday, while simultaneously reaching a season milestone, being the first MLB player to ever steal 50 bases and hit 50 home runs. In view of Ohtani's performance, he entered into the game vs. the Marlins, one stolen base, and two home runs shy of 50/50.
That is to say, not many were expecting the 30-year-old Japanese superstar to accomplish this once-in-a-lifetime feat in the same game, but he ended up going 6-for-6 with two stolen bases, three home runs, and 10 RBI's, so as a result Ohtani now is at 51/51.
Since RBI became official in 1920, only one MLB player has had, over the course of his entire career (same game or not),
a game with 10+ RBI
a game with 6+ hits
a game with 5+ XBH
a game with 3+ HR
a game with 2+ SBThat one player is Shohei Ohtani. He did all of it today. pic.twitter.com/njXOmwHKnm
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) September 20, 2024
In particular, he hit his 49th home run in the sixth inning, his 50th in the seventh inning, and the 51st in the ninth inning.
With this in mind, the man who caught the 50/50 home run ball is super fortunate he was in attendance at this game in particular. According to SCP Auctions President David Kohler (per TMZ), based on initial evaluations, the ball is estimated to sell for around $500,000 if it goes up on the auction block.
The Marlins broadcast calls Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run of the season as he officially records the first ever 50 home run and 50 stolen bases season: pic.twitter.com/SFt0eHbQBG
— MLB Clutch Moments And Walk Offs (@MLBWalk_Offs) September 19, 2024
To note, after Ohtani hit the home run over the left field wall, there was a scuffle, as it initially went off the fingertips of one of the fans.
Imagine being this close to Ohtani’s 50/50 home run ball and not snagging it 😂
Dude could’ve been set for life. pic.twitter.com/cTZaqGvjbj
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) September 19, 2024
This up close angle of the scrum for Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball 😳 pic.twitter.com/WmSLzVlezy
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 20, 2024
The guy with the black shirt lifted his arm up to show his new prized possession, before the security took him to an undisclosed location.
X/@ABC
Luckily, in the inning after Ohtani hit his 49th home run, the MLB authenticators put markings on the baseballs, which allowed the authenticity of the ball to be recognized with a special hologram.
According to reports, after the MLB authenticators confirmed the ball, the Dodgers representatives offered the man $300,000 and he declined, opting to leave the stadium with it. Being that, he now has a decision to make, if he will keep what will be an historical piece of memorabilia or sell the 50/50 home run ball and try to get more.
Baseball fans at Miami’s LoanDepot Park scrambled to grab Los Angeles Dodger Shohei Ohtani’s history-making 50th season home-run ball on September 19. https://t.co/DbTNZwbut1 pic.twitter.com/bcmzgCxDiC
— ABC News (@ABC) September 20, 2024
All in all, with nine games left in the season, the guy better hope that Ohtani doesn't try for 60/60, or the value of his ball will go way down.
