Catching a home run ball is usually a quick burst of joy followed by a proud walk to your seat—and there’s a reason for that! You’ve just won a small, leather-and-yarn lottery, and not just the emotional lottery. Every so often, the ball in your hand turns into a serious financial decision, complete with auction houses, buyer’s premiums, and a lot of people suddenly calling you their friend. With that, let’s explore the craziest price tags people nabbed just for a ball.
Shohei Ohtani’s 50th Home Run Ball (2024) — $4.392 million
If you want a modern, headline-grabbing collectible, this is it. Ohtani’s 50th homer capped a historic 50/50 season, and the ball’s sale price shattered the record for any ball, with the auction proceeding even amid an ownership dispute.
Mark McGwire’s 70th Home Run Ball (1998) — $3.054 million
McGwire’s 70th wasn’t just a number; it was the grand finale of the 1998 home run chase. The ball sold at Guernsey’s in 1999 for $3,054,000 (including commission), setting a benchmark that stood for years.
Aaron Judge’s 62nd Home Run Ball (2022) — $1.5 million
Judge breaking the American League single-season record gave this baseball instant rich-guy status, and it was. The ball sold through Goldin for $1.5 million total, with the buyer’s premium pushing it neatly into seven-figure territory.
Barry Bonds’ 756th Home Run Ball (2007) — $752,467.20
This one comes with the weight of baseball history attached, so you bet it scored a pretty penny. It was home run No. 756 that moved Bonds past Hank Aaron for the record. A fan caught it and later sold it through a Sotheby’s/SCP auction for $752,467.20, fees included.
Barry Bonds’ 73rd Home Run Ball (2001) — $517,500
Single-season records have their own special sparkle, and Bonds’ 73rd delivered exactly that. The ball sold at auction in 2003 for $517,500, turning one perfectly timed snag into a very memorable payday.
