The grand slam ball struck by Freddie Freeman into the right-field stands at Dodger Stadium during a vital moment of the 2024 World Series has achieved a remarkable milestone.
The legendary, game-altering ball sold for $1. 56 million at an auction on Saturday night after being listed on December 4 by SCP Auctions, situated in Laguna Niguel. The auction drew 22 bids from across the world, with the event prolonging several times before finishing nearly three hours past its intended conclusion.
This positions Freeman’s grand slam ball as the third most valuable baseball ever sold, eclipsing Aaron Judge’s record-setting 62nd home run ball, which fetched $1. 5 million in 2022.
Freeman, dealing with an ankle injury, hit the 413-foot drive off the first pitch from Nestor Cortes in the 10th inning of Game 1. It indicated the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history. The ball ultimately found its way to 10-year-old Zachary Ruderman from Venice, who recounted the moment it rolled to his feet.
“When he hit the ball, we knew it was leaving the park, but we had no idea we were going to catch it,” Zachary shared with NBCLA. “The ball bounced on the seat in front of us and rolled on the ground a little bit. Then I got it. ”
Zachary, who thought he was leaving school early to have his braces taken off, became part of what Dodgers manager Dave Roberts referred to as “the greatest baseball moment I’ve ever witnessed. ” Zachary characterized the experience as, “The best day of my life. ”
The Ruderman family expressed their desire for the ball to be showcased at Dodger Stadium, stating in a statement, “Our family hopes the baseball will be displayed in Dodger Stadium so all Dodgers and baseball fans can view a very special piece of history for the City of Los Angeles. ”
This represents the second notable Dodgers-related ball sold this season. Shohei Ohtani’s historic ball, marking his milestone as the first MLB player with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season, was sold for a record $4. 4 million to a Taiwanese investment firm and is currently displayed there.
