MLB Star Shohei Ohtani's 176th Home Run Ball Set To Rake In Massive Cash For Lucky Fan
By Afouda Bamidele on August 12, 2024 at 8:45 AM EDT
Shohei Ohtani's historic milestone has become a potential goldmine for a fan.
The MLB superstar broke the record for the most home run hits by a Japanese-born player in April, with the ball falling into the hands of a lucky man named Jason Patino.
Although the baseball fan initially planned to treasure Shohei Ohtani's home run ball, he reportedly caved thanks to the massive cash attached to the record-breaking moment.
Shohei Ohtani's Home Run Ball May Sell For $200K
Sources from Heritage Auctions recently confirmed that Jason Patino, who caught Ohtani's home run ball on April 21, has decided to sell the gem on their site.
They claimed the historic ball could fetch Patino about $200,000, which made it challenging for him to hold on to the ball. They claimed he initially declared he would keep it but decided to give it to the highest bidder.
Bidding for Ohtani's home run ball would start on August 23 and, given its significance, was expected to draw quite a crowd. The memento gained significant value as it marked the moment the Japanese-born player broke Hideki Matsui's MLB record.
The 30-year-old's 176 home runs pushed Matsui's 175 hits to second place. The ball from Ohtani's big moment featured the MLB's official logos. It also had a holographic authentication sticker and a handwritten "E," per TMZ.
Celebrities Celebrated Ohtani's Move To The Los Angeles Dodgers
Ohtani's record-breaking moment comes nearly a year after he vowed to put his best foot forward for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In December 2023, The Blast reported the baseball superstar signed a $700 million deal with the MLB team.
He announced his move to the Dodgers on Instagram, earning supportive comments from famous entertainment industry figures. Former baseball player Alex Rodriquez penned "Congratulations" with several fire emojis.
WWE star Cassie Lee (formerly known as Peyton Royce) expressed her joy with multiple emojis, while "Jackass" star Johnny Knoxville chimed "Wahoo!!" The local team, L.A. Galaxy, added: "LETS GOOOOOO."
Shotime Promised To Make The Dodgers Proud
Ohtani, nicknamed "Shotime," promised to make the team and its longtime fans proud, vowing, "To all Dodgers fans, I pledge to always do what's best for the team and always continue to give it my all to be the best version of myself."
"Until the last day of my playing career, I want to continue to strive forward not only for the Dodgers but for the baseball world," the 30-year-old continued, adding:
"There are some things that cannot be conveyed in writing, so I would like to talk more about this again at a later press conference. Thank you very much."
Ohtani also reflected on his time with his former team, The Los Angeles Angels, thanking them for supporting him over the past six years. He claimed their journey together would remain etched in his heart forever.
Ohtani Bought A La Cañada Flintridge Modern Mansion
Months after signing with the Dodgers, The Blast reported Ohtani had splurged on a stunning Cañada Flintridge mansion in Los Angeles. He bought the modern property for $7.85 million, per real estate records.
The residence was conveniently located about 13 miles from Dodger Stadium, providing Ohtani with an easy 20-minute commute. The seller, comedian Adam Carolla, initially listed the property last summer for $8.99 million but lowered it to $8.35 million in October 2023.
Besides being close to the Dodgers Stadium, the three-story home offered five bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms, including a primary suite with a balcony. It came with various luxuries, from mid-century-inspired interiors to an outdoor lounge overlooking a lawn, a swimming pool, and a spa.
Shohei Ohtani's Ex-Interpreter Accused Of Embezzling His Money
Although Ohtani mostly makes waves for good news, his life wasn't entirely rosy. On April 11, a federal affidavit was filed against his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Ippei Mizuhara was accused of embezzling over $16 million from the Japanese athlete.
The alleged crime unfolded over two years, with Mizuhara allegedly using the stolen funds to settle debts accrued from illicit gambling with a sportsbook. Ohtani's long-time interpreter could face a $1 million fine and/or a maximum prison sentence of 30 years.
Given Shohei Ohtani's rising fame and achievements, the alleged stolen funds will barely affect his bank account. Nonetheless, he will need to select his future collaborators carefully.
