Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a home run to score Andy Pages during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, September 19, 2024, in Miami.
1:00 PM JST, September 27, 2024
MIAMI (AP) — A Florida man’s lawsuit has temporarily blocked Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball from being sold at auction after he claimed it was stolen from him shortly after he secured it.
Max Matus’ representatives say their client obtained the Los Angeles Dodgers star’s historic ball on September 19 – the man’s 18th birthday – before Chris Belanski took it away. The ball has since been turned over to Goldin Auctions, a New Jersey-based auction house specializing in trading cards, collectibles and memorabilia.
The Miami-Dade County judge said during an emergency hearing Thursday that the motion for a temporary injunction has been postponed and a hearing will be held on Oct. 10. The order states that the auction can begin, but that the house “will not sell.” conceal or transfer the ball pending the court’s ruling.
Matus’ initial filing sought a court order declaring his right to the ball and requesting a jury trial on his claims. It also alleged unlawful battery against Belanski.
Kelvin Ramirez is also named in the lawsuit after claiming ownership of the ball. Ramirez attended the game with Belanski. Goldin Auctions, Belanski and Ramirez are named in the lawsuit filed by John Uustal, the attorney representing Matus.
Ohtani’s home run against the Miami Marlins gave him 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season, making him the first member of the 50-50 club.
The opening bid for the ball is $500,000. There are black scuffs and abrasions on the white leather ball, which has been verified by Major League Baseball.
“Ohtani is truly one of a kind, and the 50-50 record could be his crowning 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.”
