Shohei Ohtani made history on Thursday, and Major League Baseball released a memorabilia collection almost immediately afterward.
The Dodgers superstar became the first player in major league history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season. Now available at the league’s online store: 50-50 T-shirts ($37.99).
And much more: 50-50 Flags ($47.99), 50-50 Water Bottles ($34.99); 50-50 Vinyl Figure Sets ($29.99); 50-50 Towels ($27.99); 50-50 Signs ($15.99), 50-50 Pennants ($13.99), and three options for 50-50 Silver Coins ($99.99).
Ohtani has brought in more than enough money for the Dodgers — especially considering the National League’s presumed most valuable player has a $2 million salary this season. But when Ohtani hit his 50th home run during Thursday’s game, the team missed out on additional revenue.
The Dodgers return home on Friday, the start of a six-game home series.
According to StubHub, the best-selling section in the right field pavilion is section 304, the area where an Ohtani home run is most likely to land.
Before Ohtani hit his 50th home run, premium Section 304 tickets for Saturday’s game were available on the Dodgers website for $215.60 apiece. After Ohtani hit his 50th home run — meaning the milestone home run would not be hit at Dodger Stadium — those tickets were available for $185.60. The Dodgers, like many other teams, adjust their prices based on supply and demand.
Don’t shed a tear for the Dodgers. The minimum ticket price for Saturday’s game on the Dodgers website is $111 as of Thursday afternoon. It is Shohei Ohtani T-shirt night, after all.
How much would it have been worth to catch that milestone home run? Yahoo asked a few sports memorabilia experts, and one of them said the milestone ball could be worth “over $200,000.”
