Shohei Ohtani’s game-worn jersey in June, 2023 recently fetched an impressive $60,200 at auction (sold on the MLB Auction Marketplace, powered by Commerce Dynamics) the highest price paid for an Angels jersey this season. This was no ordinary jersey, it encapsulated a remarkable chapter in Ohtani’s historic two-way campaign.
In the tie between the Cubs and Mariners, Ohtani dazzled on both the mound and at the plate. On June 8th, he went one for five while his pitching was rested. But on the 9th, Ohtani’s talents fully shone. He started on the mound, battling for five innings while allowing three runs and striking out six. Then at bat, he cracked a homerun and a double to go three for four with two runs batted in.
This was the third time Ohtani came within one hit of a cycle while pitching in the same game. It was also his second home run at the plate during a start. He would become the first player to achieve both feats since Babe Ruth. Ohtani was rewriting history books with his two-way excellence.
So as this jersey went up for auction, bidders quickly recognized its significance. The winning $60,200 bid reflected the treasured moment in Ohtani’s MVP-caliber season. For fans and collectors alike, this was no ordinary memorabilia – it was a piece of baseball history.
As a side note, traffic from Japan on the MLB Auction Marketplace has more than doubled from 2022 to 2023, no doubt due to Ohtani’s superstar popularity!
Official League or Team Marketplaces are the perfect environment to give fans the opportunity to own a piece of sporting history. If your Team or League wants to adopt a similar approach to historic moments, feel free to reach out to the team at Commerce Dynamics.
