Max Matus, an 18-year-old baseball enthusiast, has sparked a legal dispute over the fate of Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball. This significant piece of memorabilia, marking Ohtani’s remarkable milestone, is slated to be auctioned off with opening bids expected to soar as high as $500,000.
The controversy erupted when Matus filed a lawsuit in Florida, aiming to prevent the auction spearheaded by another passionate fan, Chris Belanski. Matus alleges that during a game at loanDepot Park in Miami on September 19, Belanski and his friend, Kelvin Ramirez, wrongfully seized the prized baseball from him. The lawsuit claims that Matus initially had possession of the ball, firmly grasping it with his left hand, before Belanski allegedly forcibly took it from him.
The legal battle intensifies as Matus not only seeks to halt the auction but also requests the ball to be secured in a neutral location until a verdict is reached. Despite his legal efforts, Goldin Auctions, the reputable auction house based in New Jersey handling the sale, is determined to push forward with the proceedings. A Miami judge recently denied Matus’s plea for a temporary restraining order, allowing the auction to proceed as scheduled.
Goldin Auctions responded to the lawsuit, affirming their decision to proceed with the auction of the iconic Ohtani 50th home run ball after reviewing the case’s details and available video evidence from the game. The 11th Judicial Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County will grant Matus and his legal team the opportunity to present their case before the auction concludes on October 16, potentially entitling Matus to a portion of the auction proceeds if successful.
Ken Goldin, the CEO of Goldin Auctions, disclosed that Belanski swiftly reached out to the auction house the day following Ohtani’s standout game to arrange the sale. Despite a tempting offer of $300,000 from the Los Angeles Dodgers for the ball, Belanski opted to pursue the auction route.
The auction features a “buy-it-now” option initially set at a staggering $4.5 million, available until October 9. Should bids escalate to $3 million before this deadline, the buy-it-now alternative will be withdrawn, and bidding will continue until the auction’s conclusion on October 16. The unfolding legal battle injects an additional layer of complexity into what promises to be a memorable event for collectors, sports enthusiasts, and legal pundits observing the unfolding developments closely.
Amidst fervent bidding and legal wrangling, the fate of Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball hangs in the balance, captivating the attention of sports fans and legal aficionados alike.
