Shohei Ohtani World Baseball Classic jersey sells for record $1.5m
A jersey worn by Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani during the World Baseball Classic has sold for a record-breaking $1.5m at auction.
The two-way sensation wore the shirt during Japan’s comprehensive 13-0 victory over Chinese Taipei at the Tokyo Dome on 6 March.
Over a seven-day period, the number 16 jersey attracted 298 bids before eventually fetching $1,500,010 via MLB Auctions on Sunday evening.
It marks the highest amount ever paid for a piece of apparel belonging to the revered athlete.
Dominant performances on the international stage
The 30-year-old delivered a spectacular performance in the March fixture, hitting a grand slam and driving in five runs.
Across the entire tournament, the reigning National League Most Valuable Player recorded a remarkable .462 batting average alongside a 1.842 on-base plus slugging percentage.
Despite his individual brilliance, the 2023 champions were ultimately eliminated by eventual winners Venezuela in the quarter-finals.
Soaring demand for memorabilia
Appetite for items connected to the global sporting icon has surged dramatically in recent months.
This latest sale represents a massive increase from a previous MLB auction, where a shirt from his 2023 pool play match against Australia secured $126,100.
Furthermore, two highly coveted trading cards featuring game-worn patches and autographs have recently eclipsed the $2m mark.
A unique Topps Chrome card commemorating his achievements sold for $3m just before Christmas, while a dual-featured card alongside New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge went for $2.16m in March.
Ongoing legal battles
These astronomical sums follow the historic sale of the ball from his 50th home run of the 2024 season.
That historic artefact, which cemented the first 50-50 campaign in Major League Baseball history, was purchased by Taiwanese investment firm UC Capital for a record $4.39m.
However, those funds currently remain locked in escrow as ownership litigation continues ahead of a scheduled jury trial in Florida this July.
