Freddie Freeman’s Walk-Off Grand Slam Ball Sells for $1.56 Million at Auction
Record-Breaking Sale for the Second-Most Expensive Baseball Ever Auctioned
LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (AP/WGN) — Freddie Freeman’s historic walk-off grand slam ball from Game 1 of the World Series has sold for $1.56 million at auction. The historic ball is the second-most expensive baseball ever auctioned, and went for more money than all but three memorabilia items in Chicago sports history.
The Second Ball Connected to the Dodgers to be Auctioned this Season
It’s the second ball connected to the Dodgers to be auctioned this season. The ball hit by Shohei Ohtani that made him the first player in major league history with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season sold for nearly $4.4 million. It set a record for the sale of any sports ball.
Only Three Memorabilia Items in Chicago Sports History Sold for More
Michael Jordan’s game-worn jersey from Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals, a Jordan jersey worn 17 times during the 1996-97 NBA season, and the flag draped over Jordan’s shoulder during the 1992 Olympics medals ceremony to cover the Reebok logo, are the only Chicago sports memorabilia items to be auctioned for more money than the Freeman World Series walk-off grand slam ball.
Auction House Report
The bidding at SCP Auctions went into the late hours of Saturday night for the Freeman ball, according to a statement from the auction house on Sunday. It didn’t say who bought the ball.
The Historic Ball
Freeman, the Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman, came to the plate on a sprained right ankle with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning against the New York Yankees. He hit the first pitch from Nestor Cortes 413 feet for the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history.
The Ball’s Journey
The ball landed in the right-field pavilion, where it was corralled by 10-year-old Zachary Ruderman, who lives in Los Angeles. The ball rolled from the seat in front of him to his feet and he batted it to his father, Nico, who jumped on it.
The Story Behind the Ball
The fifth-grader had been told he was leaving school early that day to get his braces removed. Instead, his parents took him to Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the game 6-3 and went on to claim the franchise’s eighth World Series championship in five games. Freeman was named World Series MVP.
Conclusion
Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam ball has made history, selling for $1.56 million at auction. This record-breaking sale solidifies its place as the second-most expensive baseball ever auctioned, and one of the most valuable memorabilia items in Chicago sports history.
FAQs
* Who bought the ball?
The auction house did not reveal the identity of the buyer.
* How much did the ball sell for?
The ball sold for $1.56 million.
* What is the significance of the ball?
The ball is the second-most expensive baseball ever auctioned, and one of the most valuable memorabilia items in Chicago sports history.
