The 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays gave fans a Game 7 for the ages. High drama, wild momentum swings, and some history-making home runs kept everyone glued to their seats.
Right in the thick of it all stood John and Matthew Bains — a father and son who managed to turn a bit of luck and quick thinking into something unforgettable. They caught two crucial home run balls: Miguel Rojas’ game-tying shot in the ninth and Will Smith’s walk-off blast in the 11th.
The Bains aimed high, hoping for a $2.5 million payday. They didn’t get close to that, but still walked away with a solid profit and a story that’ll never get old.
A Night to Remember in World Series History
Game 7 in the World Series always brings a special kind of tension. The Dodgers and Blue Jays battled deep into extra innings, and the crowd could feel every twist and turn.
John and Matthew Bains weren’t just watching — they became part of the story. When they caught those two home run balls, they turned a fan’s dream into a collector’s jackpot.
The Game-Tying Heroics of Miguel Rojas
Down late, Miguel Rojas smashed a home run in the ninth to tie the game. The ball arced into the stands, and Matthew Bains, with a little help from his dad, made the catch.
That shot gave the Dodgers new hope and handed the Bains their first valuable souvenir. John figured Rojas’ ball might fetch $1 million because of its significance. The auction ended up at $156,000 — not bad, even if it wasn’t the windfall they’d imagined.
Will Smith’s Championship-Winning Shot
The 11th inning brought pure magic. Will Smith’s walk-off home run ended the World Series, and somehow, the Bains were right there again.
This time, John guessed the ball could bring in $1.5 million since it clinched the title. SCP Auctions put it up, and the final bid hit $168,000. It didn’t match their dreams, but it sure wasn’t pocket change.
Choosing SCP Auctions and Defying Early Reports
John Bains went with SCP Auctions, impressed by their history — they’d sold Freddie Freeman’s 2024 World Series grand slam ball for $1.56 million. He figured their reputation would draw in serious buyers.
Early stories claimed the Bains threw the home run balls back onto the field. John set the record straight: they actually tossed in decoy balls they’d brought, just to stay under the radar.
The Final Financial Outcome
The two balls together sold for $324,000. That’s a far cry from their $2.5 million goal, but still a huge return for one wild night at the ballpark.
Catching even a single home run in a World Series is the kind of thing fans dream about. The Bains caught two, both at massive moments, and turned them into a six-figure payout.
Legacy of an Extraordinary Game 7
The Dodgers’ comeback win over Toronto will stick with fans for a long time. From Rojas’ clutch homer to Smith’s walk-off, the Bains found themselves in the thick of baseball history.
Even though the auction didn’t hit their sky-high hopes, they took home more than money — they claimed a story that’ll always be part of World Series lore.
Key Takeaways from the Bains’ World Series Windfall
For sports collectors, this story offers several important lessons:
- Historic game moments can create highly valuable memorabilia.
- Market expectations don’t always match final sale prices.
- Choosing the right auction house can impact results.
- Quick thinking and preparation can turn fandom into fortune.
In the annals of baseball’s greatest moments, the 2025 World Series Game 7 will shine brightly.
For John and Matthew Bains, it was a life-changing chapter written in leather, stitches, and America’s pastime.
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Here is the source article for this story: Did Father-Son Duo Land $2.5M for Dodgers’ Historic World Series Game 7 HR Balls?
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