The record-setting baseball hit by Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, which is set to go to auction for a starting bid of half-a-million dollars, is now at the center of a lawsuit. The ball, marking Ohtani’s historic achievement as the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season, has led to legal action as an 18-year-old fan claims it was stolen from him during a scuffle at the game.
Max Matus, the fan who says he initially caught the prized home run ball, has filed a lawsuit claiming the baseball was forcibly taken from him by another fan in the chaos following Ohtani’s milestone homer. Video footage from the game shows a group of fans in a heated struggle for the ball, with multiple hands grabbing at it before one fan managed to walk away with it. Matus’s legal team asserts that their client caught the ball cleanly, only to have it “unlawfully snatched” from his hands by another fan who is now attempting to sell the baseball at auction.
The ball, which could fetch an astronomical price due to Ohtani’s record-breaking season, is being auctioned by Goldin Auctions. The company has acknowledged the lawsuit but insists that the auction will proceed as planned, barring any court order. “We are aware of the legal claim, but as of now, the auction is still set to begin,” a spokesperson for Goldin Auctions stated.
Matus’s lawsuit seeks not only to recover the baseball but also to halt the auction through an emergency injunction. His lawyer argues that Matus is the rightful owner of the historic item and that it should not be sold before the matter is resolved in court. “Our client is devastated. He caught this piece of history fair and square, only to have it ripped from his hands. We will pursue all legal avenues to ensure justice is served,” said Matus’s attorney.
The incident has quickly escalated into a legal showdown, with both parties presenting their versions of events. The other fan, who currently possesses the baseball, claims that he was the rightful catcher and insists that the chaotic nature of the crowd makes it impossible to determine who legally had control of the ball.
An emergency hearing is scheduled for today in Miami-Dade County, where Matus’s legal team will request a temporary injunction to prevent the auction from proceeding until the rightful ownership of the ball can be determined. The case has sparked widespread media attention, with fans and legal experts weighing in on the potential outcome. “It’s a rare and complex legal case,” said sports law attorney Lisa McCormick. “Ownership of sports memorabilia, particularly in scenarios like this where a ball is caught in a chaotic crowd, is often disputed and can lead to protracted legal battles.”
Shohei Ohtani’s incredible performance this season has added immense value to the baseball, with collectors eager to own a piece of history. Ohtani, known for his two-way talent as both a pitcher and a hitter, has shattered records this year, making this ball a highly sought-after piece of memorabilia.
For now, the fate of the ball rests in the hands of the court, as Matus and his legal team fight to stop the auction and claim what they believe is rightfully his. With the auction looming and the hearing set for later today, all eyes will be on the Miami courtroom to see whether Matus can successfully block the sale of Ohtani’s 50th home run ball.
