Dodgers News: Shohei Ohtani’s 40/40 HR Ball Sells for Massive Amount, Even Without Authentication
Shohei Ohtani’s grand slam ball, marking his achievement of reaching 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases, was sold for $250,320 at Goldin Auctions late last month, as reported by Darren Rovell of CLLCT.
Bakersfield, Calif. resident Tony Buenteo is the fan who caught the historic home run.
Buenteo, along with his son and father-in-law — both first-time visitors to Dodger Stadium — traveled from Bakersfield to Chavez Ravine to watch the Dodgers face off against the Tampa Bay Rays. The group found themselves “getting turned around a few times” upon reaching the stadium grounds.
In an interview with KTLA, Buenteo said that the whole stadium was buzzing at the thought of Shohei Ohtani becoming the fastest player in MLB history to reach the 40/40 club.
Buenteo recalled that he, his son, and father-in-law watched as Ohtani’s home run ball came flying toward their section in the stands. He thinks someone in front of them missed an initial opportunity to catch it, which led to Rays outfielder Jose Siri tossing the ball back into the crowd.
“Everyone was in a frenzy, and it just got magnified when the ball got thrown back to where we were,” Buenteo said. “It was just pure mayhem, madness, and pandemonium for about four to five seconds.”
Buenteo managed to catch the ball that Siri threw back but lost it in the crowd’s “mosh pit,” which was so chaotic that he couldn’t even keep his glove closed. The ball fell out of his glove and he thought it was gone forever until he felt it between his foot and his son’s.
With his father-in-law crawling on the ground searching for it, Buenteo called out to him.
Before leaving, the trio was approached by security who asked them to wait while the ball was verified as the one Ohtani hit to win the game and set the record.
However, the security guard never returned, and when they inquired with other team members for guidance, they received minimal information and were told the Dodgers had no interest in the ball.
“[To see] the 40th home run and 40th stolen base in the same night at Dodger Stadium and [Ohtani] being the fastest and first Dodger to do it…it’s very special to me,” he said. “I’ve been a baseball fan for a long time, and I know the significance of those milestones, but I’ve never even come close to a foul ball or a ball from one of the players when they’re practicing.”
“I had never even touched a ball [at a game] but I always dreamed of it,” he added. “And to have the pinnacle of all baseballs land in my lap, it’s a hard thing to believe.”
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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