Shohei Ohtani’s Historic 176th Home Run Ball Hits Auction, Could Fetch $200K
![Shohei Ohtani’s Historic 176th Home Run Ball Hits Auction, Could Fetch 0K Shohei Ohtani’s Historic 176th Home Run Ball Hits Auction, Could Fetch 0K](https://i2.wp.com/imagez.tmz.com/image/fe/16by9/2024/08/09/fe58353e86e24139bfc37520ad9a4b9b_xl.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1)
The fan who caught Shohei Ohtani‘s historic 176th home run is about to be a whole lot richer … TMZ Sports has learned the man’s putting the ball up for auction — and it’s expected to net him a small fortune!!
The guys over at Heritage Auctions tell us … Jason Patino — who snagged the record-setting baseball after Ohtani blasted it toward him in an April 21 victory over the Mets — is selling the memento on their block, and they’re figuring it’ll eventually go for around $200,000.
Shohei Ohtani now holds the MLB record for most HRs hit by a Japanese-born player.
1. Shohei Ohtani (176)
2. Hideki Matsui (175)
3. Ichiro Suzuki (117)pic.twitter.com/NnZupuWfvm— Covers (@Covers) April 21, 2024
@Covers
The ball, of course, holds a ton of value … as it marked the official breaking of Hideki Matsui‘s MLB record for dingers by a Japanese-born slugger.
As for the ball itself, check it out … it’s pretty sweet. It’s got official MLB logos all over it, along with a holographic authentication sticker. It’s also got a handwritten “E” on it.
Some might be wondering why Patino would give up such a gem, especially when, initially, he said he would keep it. Well, we’re told the potential six-figure price tag made things simply too hard for the man to hang onto it any longer.
Bidding officially opens on August 23 … good luck!!