Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has purchased countless collectibles over the years, from a Jackie Robinson-signed bat to a Fender guitar used by Kurt Cobain. On Wednesday, he reportedly paid $50,103 for another addition to his collection: a baseball signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
A portion of the sale will go toward a Ukrainian relief fund, Irsay tweeted Thursday morning. According to TMZ, that portion is over $15,000.
Added to my @IrsayCollection yesterday at auction, the only known baseball signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a visit to NY in 2019. A portion of proceeds going to Ukrainian relief. ????
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) May 12, 2022
The ball features Zelensky's last name – in Ukrainian cursive and English print – along with his signature and the MLB logo. It comes with a letter signed by Ukrainian diplomat Volodymyr Yelchenko, who gifted the ball to government affairs specialist Randy L. Kaplan. According to his website, Kaplan has collected signed baseballs from world leaders and heads of state since then-President Bill Clinton gave him one in 1996.
A total of 35 bids were placed on the ball, leading
