Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run with the Dodgers on Wednesday night, a key hit that helped them secure a 5-4 win over the Giants. The lucky fan who caught the ball, Ambar Roman, ended up giving it back to Ohtani for very little in return. Ohtani exchanged the ball for another ball, two signed Dodgers hats, a bat, and a quick conversation. The ball was estimated to be worth at least $100,000, with a similar ball being auctioned for $1.5 million in the past.
Roman and her husband, Alexis Valenzuela, felt that the Dodgers took advantage of her in the exchange for the home run ball. They claimed that Roman was pressured into giving the ball back and that the team threatened not to authenticate the ball if she did not comply. However, Roman stated that she did not regret the decision, especially if there was a chance the ball would not be authenticated without the team’s cooperation.
Ohtani expressed gratitude for getting the ball back and acknowledged the sentimentality of the moment. He is now hitting .270 with a .749 OPS after the game. The Dodgers mentioned that they are open to having another conversation about the ball, indicating that there may be room for further negotiation. Valenzuela emphasized that the situation was unfair, with security guards preventing him from advising his wife on the matter.
It was Ohtani’s 172nd career home run, which is not considered a milestone number in major league baseball. However, the value of the ball was significant due to Ohtani’s popularity and the rarity of the occasion. The fan who caught Aaron Judge’s record-breaking 62nd home run in the 2022 season auctioned it for $1.5 million after turning down a $3 million private offer. While Ohtani’s ball would not have fetched as much, it still would have been quite valuable.
The Dodgers’ decision to secure the ball from Roman raised eyebrows, with many questioning the fairness of the exchange. The team’s offer of a ball, two signed hats, a bat, and a conversation was seen as inadequate compensation for a ball with potential significant value. Roman and Valenzuela felt that the team manipulated the situation to their advantage, cornering Roman and pressuring her into giving up the ball.
Despite the controversy surrounding the exchange, Ohtani was appreciative of the ball’s return, emphasizing its sentimental value. He continues to perform well for the Dodgers, with a batting average of .270 and an OPS of .749. While the situation with Roman and the home run ball was not ideal, there remains a possibility for further discussion with the Dodgers about the ball’s value and potential compensation. Ultimately, the incident highlighted the complexities of fan interactions in the world of professional sports.
