Ohtani’s 50th home run ball sells for record $4.4m amid legal battle for ownership

• Ball was star slugger's 50th homer of 2024 season
• Three parties say they grabbed ball from stands

Shohei Ohtani's 50th home run ball has sold at auction for nearly $4.4m, a record high price not just for a baseball, but for any ball in any sport, the auctioneer said Wednesday.

Ohtani became the first player in baseball history to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in a season, reaching the milestone on 19 September when the Los Angeles Dodgers star hit his second of three homers against the Marlins.