sport news Signed Shohei Ohtani foul ball from 2021 goes on sale for a whopping $15,000 as ... trends now
Shohei Ohtani's stranglehold on Major League Baseball now extends deep into the collectibles market, where one of his foul balls is being listed for nearly $15,000.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times' Bill Shaikin, an autographed foul ball from 2021 has been put up for sale at $14,995.
'$15,000 and not even a fair ball,' Shaikin noted.
The ball was fouled off by Ohtani during his six-year tenure with the Los Angeles Angels. The at-bat reportedly ended in a strikeout for the two-way star.
Since then, Ohtani has signed a heavily back-loaded $700 million deal with the Dodgers, for whom he hit his first home run on Wednesday night.
Ohtani celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting his first home run with the Dodgers
Ohtani's foul ball comes from the 2021 season, when he was still playing with the Angels
Playing his ninth game for his new team, Ohtani pulled a 93.2 mph sinker from left-hander Taylor Rogers on the upper, outer portion of the strike zone into the right-center field pavilion. The ball left his bat at 105.6 mph and landed 430 feet from the plate, where it was picked up by a fan.
'Honestly, very relieved that I was able to hit my first homer,' Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. 'It's been a while and honestly my swing hasn't been great. So overall very relieved.'
The home run came in the 41st plate appearance for the two-time MVP.
Ohtani's home run, the 172nd of his major league career, put the Dodgers ahead 5-3. The two-way star is limited to hitting this year following elbow surgery in September and entered in a 3-for-20 slide. He also singled and scored in the second inning, and he is hitting .270 with four RBIs.
Naturally, this home run ball is also a collectible.
Ohtani met the fan who caught his home run ball after the game. He gave the fan a ball, a bat and two hats in exchange for the home run ball.
'Obviously, it's a very special ball,' Ohtani said. 'A lot of feelings toward
