Lawsuit filed to prevent auction of Ohtani’s 50th home run ball

Miami. A Florida man requested a temporary injunction to prevent the ball with which Shohei Ohtani hit his 50th home run of this season from going to auction, arguing that it was stolen moments after he had taken possession of it.

An urgent hearing was scheduled for Thursday in Miami Dade County in connection with a lawsuit filed on behalf of Max Matus, who his representatives say caught the ball for the Japanese Los Angeles Dodgers star’s historic 50th home run. Angels. The ball would be auctioned online this Friday.

Ohtani’s home run on September 19 against the Miami Marlins made him the first member of the 50/50 club; with 50 home runs and the same number of stolen bases in the same campaign.

According to a statement from Matus’ representatives, the 18-year-old grabbed the ball before Chris Belanski, also from Florida, snatched it from him and held it. Kelvin Ramirez is also named in the lawsuit after claiming ownership of the ball, who attended the game with Belanski.

Goldin Auctions, a New Jersey-based auction house that specializes in collectible cards and relics, now has possession of the ball and plans to auction it online. Both are named in the lawsuit filed by John Uustal, the attorney representing Matus.

“We are aware of the case that has been presented,” Goldin Auctions reported in a statement sent to ESPN. “Having reviewed the allegations and images included in the lawsuit, Goldin plans to launch the auction of the Ohtani 50/50 ball.”

Matus’ filing also requests a court order declaring he has a right to the ball and requests a jury trial on his claims. He also alleges unlawful assault against Belanski.

If the ball goes to auction, the starting bid is $500,000. Potential buyers will also have the opportunity to purchase the ball for four point five million dollars between Friday and October 9.

Should bidding reach $3 million before October 9, the option to purchase the ball privately will no longer be available and buyers will have to bid for it. The extended tender will begin on October 16.

“Ohtani is truly one of a kind, and the 50/50 record may be his greatest achievement,” said Ken Goldin, founder and CEO of the auction house. “This is a piece of baseball history that fans and historians around the world will remember for decades to come.”