NL West

The ball from Freddie Freeman's historic walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 6-3 win over the New York Yankees is being sought by one of the leading auction marketplaces.

Ken Goldin of Goldin Auctions asked the fan who caught the ball to contact him as soon as possible.

To the fan who just caught @FreddieFreeman5 GRAND Slam, hopefully you are aware of this 👀… contact me or @GoldinCo ASAP https://t.co/bTVoA5KOzh

— Ken Goldin (@KenGoldin) October 26, 2024

It's been a good week for Goldin Auctions, which sold Shohei Ohtani's 50th home-run ball of the season for $4.4 million on Wednesday. It's the highest sale price ever for a ball in any sport.

The Ohtani ball was the one that made him the first player in MLB history to have 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in the same season.

Freeman became just the second player in MLB history to hit a walk-off grand slam in the playoffs and first to do it in a World Series game on Friday night. He deposited the first pitch he saw from Yankees reliever Nestor Cortes Jr. into the seats over the right-field fence.

FREDDIE FREEMAN WALK-OFF GRAND SLAM. #WORLDSERIES pic.twitter.com/5MIY5CaX6a

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 26, 2024

The only walk-off grand slam in postseason history prior to Friday night was by Nelson Cruz for the Texas Rangers in a 7-3 win over the Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of the 2011 ALCS.

Even though the ball from Freeman's big moment likely wouldn't generate the kind of interest from memorabilia collectors that Ohtani's did, the historic nature of the home run could fetch a pretty penny if the person who caught it decides to sell it.

Freddie Freeman was on cloud nine after hitting the second walk-off grand slam in MLB postseason history to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 6-3 win over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Freeman called his dramatic moment "as good as it gets" for a big leaguer.

"Those are the kind of things, when you're five years old with your two older brothers and you're playing wiffle ball in the backyard, those are the scenarios you kind of dream about."

- Freddie Freeman on his walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series pic.twitter.com/IIWlVlkCiM

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) October 26, 2024

Freeman's walk-off blast came against Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortés Jr. after New York took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 10th inning.

IT'S GONE
IT'S GONE
IT'S GONE
IT'S GONE
FREDDIE FREEMAN #WALKOFF GRAND SLAM pic.twitter.com/LlVU1ZGyGx

— MLB (@MLB) October 26, 2024

The game started as a pitcher's duel between Gerrit Cole and Jack Flaherty. It was scoreless through four innings before the Dodgers broke through in the bottom of the fifth on an Enrique Hernández sacrifice fly that drove in Will Smith.

New York came back in the top half of the sixth when Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer off Flaherty. It was the fourth straight playoff game that the five-time All-Star has hit a home run dating back to Game 3 of the ALCS.

The Dodgers took advantage of some sloppy defense by the Yankees to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth. Shohei Ohtani doubled to right and advanced to third when the ball bounced off Gleyber Torres' glove on the throw back to the infield.

Shohei Ohtani hits one off the wall for his first World Series hit 💪 pic.twitter.com/gpIjAnVa9x

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 26, 2024

Mookie Betts drove in Ohtani with a sacrifice fly. Jazz Chisholm Jr. created a run on his own in the 10th inning with a single and two stolen bases before crossing the plate on Anthony Volpe's groundout.

The stage was set for another iconic walk-off homer for the Dodgers in the World Series. Yankees manager Aaron Boone made the strange decision to intentionally walk Betts with two outs and runners on first and second after Ohtani flied out.

It didn't help that Cortes hadn't pitched in a game since Sept. 18 due to an elbow injury. Freeman took the first pitch he saw and launched it over the fence in right field for the win.

The only other walk-off grand slam in a playoff game happened 13 years ago in the ALCS between the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers. Nelson Cruz gave the Rangers a 7-3 win over the Tigers when he took Ryan Perry deep in the bottom of the 11th.

Robin Ventura did hit a grand slam for the New York Mets in Game 5 of the 1999 NLCS against the Atlanta Braves, but it was officially scored as a single because he only got to first base before being mobbed by his teammates.

Freeman finished the game 2-for-5 with a triple, homer and four RBI. He had been hobbled by an ankle injury to the point that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts kept him out of the lineup for the clinching Game 6 against the Mets in the NLCS.

The Dodgers will send Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound against Carlos Rodón as they look to take a 2-0 series lead against the Yankees in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday night.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has officially ruled out the chance that Shohei Ohtani could return to the mound this postseason.

Roberts said Thursday "there is no possibility" that Ohtani will pitch against the New York Yankees in the World Series, per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

Ohtani has not pitched since undergoing elbow surgery last September, but Roberts said last month there was a "possibility" he would pitch during the postseason.

The World Series begins on Friday night in Los Angeles. The Game 1 first pitch is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET.

Jack Flaherty will take the mound for Game 1, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto is slated to get the start in Saturday's Game 2.

Being limited to designated hitting did not stop Ohtani from playing a key role in helping the Dodgers eliminate the New York Mets in six games to win the NLCS.

He finished the series batting .364 with a 1.184 OPS, with two home runs and nine walks, and six RBIs including one in the pennant-clinching Game 6.

Shohei Ohtani's blooper finds grass to extend the @Dodgers lead! #NLCS pic.twitter.com/0LUEeEZImd

— MLB (@MLB) October 21, 2024

After taking on the Yankees, Roberts' next task will be to decide whether Ohtani is still on track to make his debut in the Dodgers rotation in 2025.

Ohtani resumed throwing practice in March, and had hit 85 percent intensity by August, per ESPN's Alden Gonzalez.

Dodgers leadership then met with Ohtani in late September to discuss whether he would face live batting practice in October, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.

Friedman told Harris an earlier return to live BP would set up Ohtani "better to ramp up in February," but that the Dodgers needed to find a way for him to continue his rehab without "any negative repercussions this October."

The Dodgers are starting the 2025 season with a series against the Chicago Cubs in Japan, but making sure Ohtani gets to take the mound in his home country is certainly less important to the Dodgers than keeping him healthy with a shot at the title on the line.

All eyes now turn to Flaherty, who is looking to bounce back from his struggles in Game 5 of the NLCS by powering the Dodgers to a win on Friday.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will honor one of their franchise legends during the World Series against the New York Yankees and throughout the 2025 campaign.

Los Angeles announced Thursday ahead of Friday's Game 1 of the Fall Classic that players will wear patches to recognize Fernando Valenzuela on their jerseys:

In memory of our hero Fernando Valenzuela, the Dodgers will wear this uniform patch during the World Series and throughout the 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/7HozGMf2Tr

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 24, 2024

Valenzuela, who pitched 11 seasons for the Dodgers from 1980 through 1990, died this week at the age of 63.

The update from the Dodgers comes after MLB commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement Tuesday that said, in part, "We will honor Fernando's memory during the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium."

Valenzuela was a beloved figure within the Dodgers organization beyond just his status as a former player. He also was a broadcaster for the team's Spanish radio and television simulcast for 22 seasons.

Los Angeles released a statement on Oct. 2 that said he "stepped away from the Dodger broadcast booth for the remainder of this year to focus on his health."

NBC 4 in Los Angeles reported on Oct. 1 that he was hospitalized "with an unspecified health problem."

Valenzuela first appeared in a game during the 1980 campaign, but it was in 1981 when "Fernandomania" swept over the baseball world. He started the season with an 8-0 record and 0.50 ERA and parlayed that into a 2.48 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a league-best 180 strikeouts in a league-best 192.1 innings over the course of the year.

He was awarded with the National League Rookie of the Year and NL Cy Young that season, and his Dodgers ended up defeating the Yankees in the World Series.

Valenzuela also pitched for the California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals before retiring after the 1997 campaign as a six-time All-Star.

But he will forever be known best for his days on the Dodgers, and the team retired his No. 34 in August 2023:

Fernando forever.#Dodgers officially retire No.34. pic.twitter.com/guiCYLKbeM

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 12, 2023

Now his former team will look to defeat the Yankees in the World Series, just like he did during his playing days. And it will be recognizing him along the way with these jersey patches.

The historic home run ball that sealed Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani's 50-home run, 50-steal season sold at a record price on Tuesday.

The ball, which was retrieved by a fan at LoanDepot Park during the Dodgers' win over the Miami Marlins in September, sold at Goldin Auctions for $3.6 million with a buyer's premium of 22 percent that brought that total price to $4.392 million.

The price of Ohtani's ball shattered the previous record for a sold ball, which was Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball that sold for $3.005 million in 1999.

🚨 BREAKING: NEW RECORD $$$ FOR A BALL 🚨

Final Sale Price on the Shohei Ohtani 50th Home Run Baseball: $4,392,000

The Highest Sale Price for Any Ball of Any Sport!

Email us at Sell@Goldin.com to Consign your Collectibles! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/GXs2TK3iFn

— Goldin (@GoldinCo) October 23, 2024

The winning bid for the ball Shohei Ohtani hit for his 50th HR this season: $4.392 million, according to Goldin Auctions.

Goldin: "Highest sale price for any ball of any sport."

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) October 23, 2024

Bidding for Ohtani's ball began on Sept. 27 at $500,000 and had 40 total bids. The final night of the auction saw a plethora of buyers trying to get their hands on the ball as 15 bids were made, per Yahoo Sports' Jack Baer.

Ohtani's 50th home run came during a dominant 20-4 win over Miami that saw the Dodgers' star go 6-for-6 with three home runs and 10 RBI. He finished the regular season with 54 home runs, 130 RBI, 59 stolen bases and a .310 batting average.

With something with as much value as the ball, there was bound to be controversy. Several fans filed lawsuits claiming rightful possession of the expensive souvenir, causing a delay in the auction, though an agreement was eventually made to allow Goldin to proceed with the auction.

Those lawsuits are still ongoing, per the Associated Press' David Brandt.

While Ohtani made history during the regular season leading to the record sale of his home run ball, he's still chasing something greater: his first championship. The Dodgers will face the New York Yankees in the World Series starting Friday in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Dodgers veteran slugger Freddie Freeman isn't letting his ankle injury hold him out of Friday's Game 1 of the World Series against the New York Yankees.

"I think with this time off, it's going to be 100 percent go for me on Game 1... I don't think there's any question in anybody's minds that I will be in the lineup for Game 1," Freeman told Rowan Kavner of Fox Sports on Tuesday.

Freeman sat out Game 6 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets due to lingering effects of a sprained right ankle that he has dealt with since the start of this month. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the game that Freeman "just doesn't feel like himself" following batting practice.

Freeman's absence caused some defensive shuffling for Los Angeles, as Max Muncy was moved to first base and Enrique Hernandez to third, with Andy Pages getting the start in center field.

Freeman appeared in eight postseason games for the Dodgers and hit .219 with no home runs and one RBI. The 35-year-old experienced a dip in production during the regular season, hitting .282 with 22 home runs and 89 RBI in 147 games. It was his first time hitting under .300 since the 2019 season when he was still with the Atlanta Braves.

Still, the Dodgers have maintained their dominance thanks to a deep lineup that includes the presumptive NL MVP Shohei Ohtani as well as Mookie Betts and NLCS MVP Tommy Edman.

The World Series matchup features the two teams with the best records in their respective leagues this season, so Freeman's return adds even more star power to the Dodgers' showdown with the Yankees.

If you have $10 million lying around and want to own a piece of Shohei Ohtani memorabilia, you are in luck.

Ken Goldin of Goldin Auctions told TMZ Sports that Ohtani's 50th home-run ball from this season which made him the first member of the 50-50 club could sell for $10 million at auction.

"It wouldn't blow my mind," Goldin said, "if some foreign bidder put this to eight figures and it topped $10 million."

The most expensive game-used ball that has ever been sold was Mark McGwire's 70th home run from the 1998 season that went for $3 million when it was sold in 1999. Aaron Judge's 62nd homer from the 2022 season sold for $1.5 million in December 2022.

Ohtani's milestone homer came in the seventh inning of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 20-4 win over the Miami Marlins on Sept. 19. He finished the game 6-for-6 with three homers, 10 RBI, two doubles, two stolen bases and four runs scored.

There was some initial uncertainty about the rightful owner of the ball because there was a scramble in the stands at LoanDepot Park to grab it.

Darren Rovell of Cllct.com noted on Sept. 25 that Max Matus filed a lawsuit claiming he was the rightful owner of the ball because it was in his possession first and Chris Belanski, who came away with it, wrongfully stole it during a scrum. Another fan filed a separate lawsuit on Sept. 30, claiming he had possession of the ball.

A Florida judge ruled on Oct. 15 that as part of an agreement between the parties involved that the auction and sale of the ball can proceed as planned, but the lawsuits will proceed with the three individuals involved. Goldin Auctions has been dismissed as a defendant in both lawsuits.

Per the listing on Goldin Auctions' website, bidding for the ball is currently at $2.1 million. The auction is set to end at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, but TMZ noted the deadline could be extended for days because the auction allows for new bids as long as they come in before the 30-minute interval deadline expires.

In addition to the historic homer that gave Ohtani 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season, his 17 total bases in the win against the Marlins were tied for the fourth-most in a single game in MLB history.

Ohtani and the Dodgers are preparing to face Judge and the New York Yankees in the World Series. Game 1 will be played at Dodger Stadium on Friday at 8:08 p.m. ET.

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy was in awe of the star power on both teams ahead of the 2024 World Series.

Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers won their National League Championship Series over the New York Mets in six games on Sunday, setting up a clash with Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees in the Fall Classic.

THE WORLD SERIES MATCHUP IS SET 🍿

WHO YOU GOT?! ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/4Ok7xyjdRa

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 21, 2024

"I just think you're talking about two of the classic franchises, and you're talking about two teams that have the sport's biggest stars," Muncy said, according to Jayson Stark of The Athletic. "And I mean the biggest stars. We're talking about, on our team, you've got Shohei, Freddie, Mookie. On their team, you've got Aaron Judge, Giancarlo and Soto."

While the 34-year-old is attempting to win his second title with the Dodgers, he couldn't help but appreciate the matchup for baseball fans.

"You're talking about the actual biggest stars in the game," said Muncy, per Stark. "And now they're going to be playing on the biggest stage. As a fan, how special is this, man? Unbelievable."

Judge and Ohtani wrapped up incredible regular seasons, leading their teams to the No. 1 record in the American League and National League, respectively. They're also top candidates to receive MVP awards in each league.

Judge finished with 58 home runs, while Ohtani racked up 54 homers. No other player in the majors recorded more than 44. The Yankees' slugger also finished with 144 RBIs and 133 walks, ending the regular season with a .322/.458/.701 slash line.

As for Ohtani, he became the first player in MLB history to steal 50 bases in addition to totaling 50 home runs. He hit .310 to go along with a 1.036 OPS, driving in 130 runs of his own.

OHTANI DESTROYS A BASEBALL FOR HOME RUN NO. 46 😯

(via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/cg02hZJ2yq

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) September 8, 2024

Both the Yankees and Dodgers also feature former MVPs such as Giancarlo Stanton, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts.

Muncy has been a key contributor for Los Angeles in the postseason, hitting .333 with two home runs and four RBIs in six NLCS contests.

Max Muncy has now reached base in 12 straight plate appearances 😤

He's tied with Reggie Jackson for the most consecutive #Postseason plate appearances reaching safely. pic.twitter.com/6zdDXRWuSz

— MLB (@MLB) October 18, 2024

The star-studded Yankees and Dodgers will meet in the World Series for the 12th time, with Game 1 on Friday.

After leading the Los Angeles Dodgers past the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series, shortstop Tommy Edman is taking home some hardware.

Edman was named NLCS MVP following the Dodgers' 10-5 win in Sunday's Game 6 to advance to the World Series.

TOMMY EDMAN IS THE 2024 NLCS MVP 🏆 pic.twitter.com/IX0AGSNbSN

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 21, 2024

Edman had 11 hits and 11 RBI in the NLCS, the latter of which tied Corey Seager's franchise record for most RBI in a playoff series. He continued his hot streak on Sunday by going 2-for-5 with a two-run home run, four RBI and two runs.

Tommy Edman is now hitting .366 (15-for-41) this postseason.

He's hitting .458 (11-for-24) in the NLCS with 11 RBIs.

Andrew Friedman dominated the trade deadline getting Edman and Michael Kopech for essentially Miguel Vargas.

That saved LA's season.pic.twitter.com/nDMjZ7jK6J

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) October 21, 2024

The Dodgers acquired Edman at the 2024 trade deadline. He originally played center field, but he was moved to shortstop after Miguel Rojas went down with an injury.

The move didn't affect Edman's performance, as he caught fire in the postseason to help lead Los Angeles back to the World Series for the first time since its last title win in 2020.

The Dodgers will face the New York Yankees in a star-studded World Series matchup that includes some of the biggest stars in MLB like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.

Edman proved that he can be just as big of a difference-maker as any of those players as the Dodgers chase their eighth World Series title in franchise history.

For the first time in his already legendary career, Shohei Ohtani will be playing in the World Series.

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Mets 10-5 in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday to close it out 4-2. Ohtani, the likely NL MVP, went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs to help lead the Dodgers back to the World Series for the first time since their title win in 2020 and the 22nd time in franchise history, the most in NL history.

Los Angeles will face the New York Yankees in a marquee World Series matchup that pits the teams with the best respective records in the AL and NL this season against one another. It's the 12th time that these two storied franchises will be facing each other in the World Series. Game 1 is set for Friday night.

Shortstop Tommy Edman also had a big night for the Dodgers, going 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in the third inning, four RBI and two runs. Catcher Will Smith also hit a two-run homer in the third to break the game open.

Fans on social media were excited by the Dodgers' emphatic win to close out the NLCS and advance to the World Series:

Shohei made it to the World Series pic.twitter.com/Kp1mbwgTi5

— IcyVert (@IcyVert) October 21, 2024

THE DODGERS ARE HEADED TO THE WORLD SERIES 🏆

They'll face the Yankees in this year's Fall Classic ⚾ @BRWalkoff pic.twitter.com/MtSQbOWqn4

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 21, 2024

POV: The Dodgers are headed to the World Series 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jP7yZVYEJB

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 21, 2024

SHOHEI OHTANI IS HEADING TO THE WORLD SERIES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS CAREER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CJQxIpJ78D

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 21, 2024

Shohei Ohtani has reached base 16 times in this #NLCS, a @Dodgers franchise record for a single #postseason series!

h/t @SlangsOnSports pic.twitter.com/qDArStNJhb

— MLB (@MLB) October 21, 2024

Shohei Ohtani is batting . 818 in his last 22 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Not slugging .818 or OPSing .818. He has 18 hits in 22 at-bats.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 21, 2024

Shohei Ohtani. Aaron Judge. Mookie Betts. Juan Soto. Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Gerrit Cole. Los Angeles. New York. Fox is going to make a billion dollars on this year’s World Series.

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) October 21, 2024

A Word Series Apperance

First year of 10 years with Shohei Ohtani pic.twitter.com/zzgqFedJ6E

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) October 21, 2024

The loss concludes a special season for the Mets that saw them overcome a slow start to make an improbable run to the NLCS. New York has a few budding stars that provide hope for a bright future.

But the night belonged to the Dodgers, and fans will be hyped as anticipation builds for their matchup against the Yankees later this week.