A Dodgers fan who caught Shohei Ohtani’s third home run during the memorable Game 4 of the NLCS in October has rejected a $2 million offer for the ball. Instead, he’s planning to auction it off.
David Flores shared with the Post that earlier this month, he signed on with Ken Goldin to put the ball on the auction block, with sales scheduled to begin on December 23.
Flores seems quite optimistic, believing that bids will surpass the hefty sum he was already offered. “Whatever happens, I think I’ll end up better off,” he remarked.
On October 17, in the bottom of the seventh inning of the decisive game against the Brewers at Dodger Stadium, Ohtani connected with a pitch that Flores caught. This was Ohtani’s third homer of the night, marking what many are calling one of the greatest baseball games ever, as the superstar also delivered six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts.
Reflecting on that night, Flores admitted he was actually dozing off just before the iconic moment. “You’re going to be the first to hear this,” he said. “I napped during the game but could hear the crowd cheering. When I finally looked up, there was the ball coming right at me. Having played baseball, I sensed it was heading my way.”
Flores recounted that many approached him immediately to purchase the ball. Initially, Goldin was one of the first to express interest, but Flores kept receiving “crazy” offers.
In the end, he decided to wait, hoping maybe someone from Ohtani’s native Japan would step in with an enticing offer. “I felt this ball belongs to Japan. It’s Shohei’s. I was just waiting for that,” he noted.
Starting next week, Goldin will facilitate the bidding process, planning to accept offers throughout the holiday season until about mid-January.
Auction experts are already speculating that this is a “seven-figure ball,” although how high it will go remains uncertain, especially compared to Ohtani’s 50th home run ball which sold for $4.4 million last year.
“This is a different ball,” one expert stated. “We’ll see just how enthusiastic the bidders are. Can we top that? It’s possible, depending on the passion of those who want this ball.”
As for Flores’s plans with any potential money earned, he remarked that he wants to spend it wisely, although one item is certainly a priority. “I want a bed,” he added. “I really need a bed.”
