Current:Home > ScamsFlorida man files a lawsuit to prevent Ohtani’s 50th HR ball from going to auction -Prime Money Path
Florida man files a lawsuit to prevent Ohtani’s 50th HR ball from going to auction
View
Date:2025-04-11 15:18:25
MIAMI (AP) — A Florida man is seeking a temporary injunction to stop Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball from going to auction, saying it was stolen from him moments after he secured it.
An emergency hearing was scheduled for Thursday in Miami Dade County regarding a lawsuit filed on behalf of Max Matus, who his representatives say caught the Los Angeles Dodgers star’s historic 50th home run ball. The ball is set to be auctioned online on Friday.
Ohtani’s home run on Sept. 19 against the Miami Marlins gave him 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in the same season, making him the first member of the 50-50 club.
According to a statement from Matus’ representatives, the 18-year-old secured the ball before Chris Belanski, also from Florida, took it away, then held it up. Kelvin Ramirez also is named in the lawsuit after claiming ownership of the ball. Ramirez attended the game with Belanski.
Goldin Auctions, a New Jersey-based auction house specializing in trading cards, collectibles and memorabilia, now has possession of the ball and plans to auction it off online. Both are named in the lawsuit filed by John Uustal, the attorney representing Matus.
“We are aware of the case that has been filed,” Goldin Auctions said in a statement to ESPN. “Having reviewed the allegations and images included in the lawsuit, and publicly available video from the game, Goldin plans to go live with the auction of the Ohtani 50/50 ball.”
Matus’ filing also requests a court order declaring that he is entitled to the ball and requests a jury trial on his claims. It also alleges unlawful battery against Belanski.
If the ball goes to auction, the opening bid for the ball is $500,000. Potential buyers will also have a chance to buy the ball outright for $4.5 million between Friday and Oct. 9. If bidding reaches $3 million before Oct. 9, the option to purchase the ball privately will no longer be available and buyers must bid for it. Extended bidding will begin on Oct. 16.
“Ohtani is truly one-of-a-kind, and the 50-50 record may 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.”
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
veryGood! (26338)
Related
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Tom Schwartz's Winter House Romance With Katie Flood Takes a Hilariously Twisted Turn
- Florida State confirms Jordan Travis' college career is over after leg injury
- Tanzania confirms intern believed taken by Hamas in Israel is dead
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Celebrating lives, reflecting on loss: How LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones are marking Trans Day of Remembrance
- Make Thanksgiving fun for all: Keep in mind these accessibility tips this holiday
- Court sides with New Hampshire school districts in latest education funding case
- Trump's 'stop
- 100+ Kids Christmas movies to stream with the whole family this holiday season.
Ranking
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Massachusetts to let homeless families stay overnight in state’s transportation building
- A Georgia judge will consider revoking a Trump co-defendant’s bond in an election subversion case
- Thanksgiving cocktails and mocktail recipes: Festive flavors featuring apple, cranberry, pumpkin
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- The pre-workout supplement market is exploding. Are pre-workouts safe?
- Boston Bruins forward Lucic to be arraigned on assault charge after wife called police to their home
- Encroaching wildfires prompt North Carolina and Tennessee campgrounds to evacuate
Recommendation
A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
Lightning left wing Cole Koepke wearing neck guard following the death of Adam Johnson
'Cougar' sighting in Tigard, Oregon was just a large house cat: Oregon Fish and Wildlife
California male nanny sentenced to over 700 years for sexual assaulting, filming young boys
Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
Hunger Games' Rachel Zegler Reveals the OMG Story Behind Her First Meeting With Jennifer Lawrence
Biden celebrates his 81st birthday with jokes as the White House stresses his experience and stamina
State hopes to raise $1M more for flood victims through ‘Vermont Strong’ license plates, socks