We don’t rule out that Shohei Ohtani might throw a ball at Taiwan, but this man’s stardom is certainly strong enough.
The fate of the Los Angeles Dodgers star’s 50-50 ball was revealed Wednesday when it went on public display at the Taipei 101 building three weeks later. sold for a record $4.4 million at auction in the United States.
The buyer later revealed to be Taiwanese investment firm UC Capital. The company is a tenant of Taipei 101, which was once the tallest building in the world and is still among the tallest in Asia.
Until March 2, 2025, the ball will be visible to all in an exhibition, behind a window and under strict surveillance.
Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 ball was finally revealed today. ⚾️🔥
It was purchased by a Taiwanese investment company called “UC Capital”. 🇹🇼
Currently, the balloon will be on display at the Taipei 101 Observatory in Taiwan, from today until March 2, 2025. #ShheiOhtani pic.twitter.com/uIzWORTJ9Y– Jeffery Chen (@jefferychen8925) November 13, 2024
The card under the ball:
“Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohel Ohtani made history in September 2024, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball (MLB) history to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season According to the Goldin Auctions website on October 23, 2024, Ohtani’s 50th home run ball sold for an incredible $4. US$392,000 (approximately NTD142 million). The winning bid was placed by a tenant of TAIPEI 101 in Taiwan, making this commemorative ball a popular collectible for fans around the world.
The Ohtani ball is the most treasured memento from one of the greatest seasons in MLB history. Unable to throw after undergoing UCL surgery last year, Ohtani instead focused on his baserunning and became the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single seasonfinishing with 54 home runs and 59 steals.
This campaign earned Ohtani his first World Series ring, All-Star honors, Silver Slugger Honors and, quite possibly, the NL MVP award. It was certainly a big problem in the Eastern Hemisphere, with more Japanese viewers watch the World Series than Americans.
By Ken Goldin, auctioneersome Japanese bidders were “very competitive” in winning the 50-50 share in the auction. Bidding for the ball was generally freneticwith four different countries involved in 40 applications, including 15 on the final evening.
The winner ultimately was the Taiwanese company, and one could imagine some Ohtani superfans trying to figure out if they can visit Taipei right now.
