麻豆影视

Skip to main content

18-year-old files lawsuit over ownership of Shohei Ohtani鈥檚 historic 50-50 ball, seeks to prevent auction

Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run, his 50th of the 2024 season, becoming the first player with a 50/50 season in MLB history. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images via CNN Newsource) Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run, his 50th of the 2024 season, becoming the first player with a 50/50 season in MLB history. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
Share

An 18-year-old has filed a lawsuit over the ownership of the ball Shohei Ohtani made baseball history with when he became the inaugural member of the 50-50 club.

On September 19, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar went where no player has gone before, hitting his 50th homer and stealing his 50th base of the season in a 20-4 win against the Miami Marlins.

The ball had been put up for auction by auctioneers Goldin, with bids starting at US$500,000 and collectors able to purchase it privately outright for US$4.5 million. The auction is set to begin on Friday at noon ET and end October 16.

However, in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Florida鈥檚 11th Judicial Circuit Court, 18-year-old Max Matus has claimed that he is in fact the rightful owner of the ball and is seeking 鈥渁 temporary injunction鈥 to prevent the 鈥渃oncealing, absconding with or selling鈥 of it.

Matus claims that he went to the Dodgers vs. Marlins game for his 18th birthday and caught the ball, according to the filing.

However, a few seconds later, the filing claims, Christian Zacek 鈥 one of the named defendants in the lawsuit as well as Goldin 鈥 trapped Matus鈥 鈥渁rm in between his legs and wrangled the 50/50 Ball out of Max鈥檚 left hand.鈥

The filing adds: 鈥淚n so doing, Zacek wrongfully and forcefully obtained control of the ball and was escorted out of the stands by security, with the 50/50 Ball Plaintiff had possessed now in Zacek鈥檚 (wrongful) possession.鈥

The lawsuit includes screenshots from what it claims is video evidence from multiple fans of Zacek ripping the ball from Matus鈥 grasp before lifting the ball aloft.

Zacek indicated on social media that he intended to sell the ball, per the filing.

When contacted for comment, Matus鈥 representatives told CNN that the 18-year-old said: 鈥淚 had the ball in my hand.鈥

John Uustal, founding partner in the law firm representing Matus, added: 鈥淭his is not some scrum on a football field where the law doesn鈥檛 apply because the players have voluntarily agreed that they are allowed to hit each other. In the stands, once someone has the ball, it鈥檚 not legal for someone to take it. Max is a high school kid. It was his birthday. A bigger stronger adult can鈥檛 take the ball away and pretend it鈥檚 his.鈥

When approached by CNN, a Goldin spokesperson said: 鈥淲e are aware of the case that has been filed. The judge in yesterday鈥檚 hearing decided that the auction will continue as scheduled today. We are excited to bring this item to the market. While Goldin has been named as a party in the case, there are no allegations of wrongdoing by the company.鈥

CNN has contacted Zacek鈥檚 counsel for comment.

According to the lawsuit, Matus would be 鈥渋rreparably harmed鈥 if the 50/50 ball is able to be sold, as it is a 鈥渦nique one-of-a-kind item that cannot be replaced.鈥

鈥淥nce the 50/50 Ball is sold, (Matus) will likely be unable to get it back and no monetary damages will be adequate to replace it.鈥

The situation bears similarities to what happened with Barry Bonds鈥 record-breaking 73rd home run ball in 2001.

Alex Popov was the first to get a glove on the ball after it sailed into the stands, but he later claimed in a lawsuit that it was torn from his hand by Patrick Hayashi, who emerged from a scrum of fans with the ball in hand. Hayashi said he found the ball rolling free in the minute-long melee.

In December 2002, a San Francisco judge ordered the two men to sell the ball and split the proceeds. The ball was eventually sold to comic book creator and producer Todd McFarlane who paid US$450,000 for it. 

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

NEW

NEW

The president and CEO of New Brunswick-based Covered Bridge Potato Chips is taking an 'extended leave of absence' after being charged with domestic violence this past weekend.

Local Spotlight

A meteor lit up our region's sky last night 鈥 with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.

Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.

Looking for a scare with good intentions this Halloween season? The ghosts and ghouls of Eganville, Ont. invite families to tour the Haunted Walk at Lekbor Manor.

The image of a sleepy Saskatchewan small town with 'not a lot going on' is a well-known anecdote. However, one Saskatchewan company is hoping to change that 鈥 and allow communities both on and off the beaten path to share their stories and advertise what they have to offer.

A Moncton, N.B., home has been donated to the Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation and will be transformed into a resource hub for people living with cancer.

Stay Connected