Aaron Judge 62nd HR ball sells at auction for $1.5 million

DALLAS — The ball New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge hit at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, for his American League-record 62nd house run has offered for $1.5 million at auction.

The worth is the second highest paid for a baseball auction, in accordance with Goldin Executive Chairman and Founder Ken Goldin. He recognized the client as a outstanding Midwestern businessman and collector.

Bidding on the ball opened on Nov. 29 and ended Saturday. The minimal opening bid was set at $1 million.

The house run ball was consigned to Goldin in November by Dallas man Cory Youmans. He was sitting within the entrance row of part 31 in left discipline at Globe Life Field on Oct. 4 when Judge led off the second sport of a doubleheader between the Yankees and Rangers and related. Youmans snared the drive on the fly together with his glove.

“That’s the magic of sports — this ball didn’t only change Aaron’s life, it changed the life of the fan who was in the stadium that night, too,” Goldin mentioned in a press release. “We’re so proud to have been trusted by Cory to current this piece of historical past for public auction.”

Youmans recognized the client solely by his first identify.

“Congratulations to Joe! Given the historical significance of #62, it was important to me that the selling process was fair, accessible and transparent,” Youmans mentioned in a press release. “Joe looks as if an incredible man and the right steward for this particular piece of MLB historical past.”

Roger Maris, a former Yankee, set the outdated report of 61 in 1961.

The highest worth paid at auction for a baseball is $3 million. It was for one hit by Mark McGwire on Sept. 27, 1998, to succeed in 70 for the season. Comic ebook creator and artist Todd McFarlane purchased the ball.

Youmans’ lawyer, David Baron, informed WFAA in November that they beforehand turned down a personal sale of $3 million for the ball.

Youmans informed The Action Network’s Darren Rovell that he wasn’t snug doing a personal sale and determined to take the ball to auction.

“While a private sale is certainly appealing, and there’s nothing wrong with $3 million, people may not appreciate that this is not Hal Steinbrenner calling and say, ‘Hey, I’ll write you a check for $3 million’ or Aaron Judge saying, ‘I’ll write you a check,’” Youmans told The Action Network. “This comes by means of artwork sellers and legislation corporations and there’s not plenty of transparency. And I’ve considerations about promoting the ball that approach.”

After finishing one of many biggest seasons and successful the AL MVP, Judge agreed to a nine-year, $360 million contract with the Yankees.

Judge mentioned in a convention name earlier than the auction that he was not going to bid on the ball.

“He caught the ball, he’s the one that made the play out there in left field, so it’s his right to do what he wants with it,” Judge said of Youmans. “Hopefully he’s making the right decision for him and his family.”