Shohei Ohtani’s grand slam ball, marking his achievement of reaching 40 dwelling runs and 40 stolen bases, was bought for $250,320 at Goldin Auctions late final month, as reported by Darren Rovell of CLLCT.
Bakersfield, Calif. resident Tony Buenteo is the fan who caught the historic dwelling run.
Buenteo, alongside together with his son and father-in-law — each first-time guests to Dodger Stadium — traveled from Bakersfield to Chavez Ravine to observe the Dodgers face off in opposition to the Tampa Bay Rays. The group discovered themselves “getting rotated just a few instances” upon reaching the stadium grounds.
In an interview with KTLA, Buenteo mentioned that the entire stadium was buzzing on the considered Shohei Ohtani turning into the quickest participant in MLB historical past to succeed in the 40/40 membership.
Buenteo recalled that he, his son, and father-in-law watched as Ohtani’s dwelling run ball got here flying towards their part within the stands. He thinks somebody in entrance of them missed an preliminary alternative to catch it, which led to Rays outfielder Jose Siri tossing the ball again into the group.
“Everybody was in a frenzy, and it simply bought magnified when the ball bought thrown again to the place we had been,” Buenteo mentioned. “It was simply pure mayhem, insanity, and pandemonium for about 4 to 5 seconds.”
Buenteo managed to catch the ball that Siri threw again however misplaced it within the crowd’s “mosh pit,” which was so chaotic that he couldn’t even maintain his glove closed. The ball fell out of his glove and he thought it was gone eternally till he felt it between his foot and his son’s.
Along with his father-in-law crawling on the bottom looking for it, Buenteo known as out to him.
Earlier than leaving, the trio was approached by safety who requested them to attend whereas the ball was verified because the one Ohtani hit to win the sport and set the file.
Nevertheless, the safety guard by no means returned, and once they inquired with different staff members for steerage, they obtained minimal data and had been advised the Dodgers had little interest in the ball.
“[To see] the fortieth dwelling run and fortieth stolen base in the identical night time at Dodger Stadium and [Ohtani] being the quickest and first Dodger to do it…it’s very particular to me,” he mentioned. “I’ve been a baseball fan for a very long time, and I do know the importance of these milestones, however I’ve by no means even come near a foul ball or a ball from one of many gamers once they’re practising.”
“I had by no means even touched a ball [at a game] however I at all times dreamed of it,” he added. “And to have the head of all baseballs land in my lap, it’s a tough factor to consider.”
Picture Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities
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