Shohei Ohtani made baseball history in Los Angeles, pulling off one of the wildest postseason performances anyone’s ever seen. In one unforgettable game at Dodger Stadium, Ohtani smashed three home runs—he’s the first pitcher to ever do that in the playoffs.
His performance didn’t just send the Dodgers to the World Series. It also handed three fans some seriously valuable souvenirs that could be worth millions.
Ohtani’s Unprecedented Postseason Power
Fans have admired Ohtani’s ability to dominate both on the mound and at the plate for a while now. But this latest display? It sent shockwaves through the baseball world.
The way he handled postseason pressure while excelling in both roles just makes the whole thing even more impressive. It’s hard not to see him as one of the most extraordinary athletes in modern sports history.
The First Pitcher to Hit Three Postseason Home Runs in a Game
Plenty of great sluggers have had three-homer games in October. But no pitcher has ever done what Ohtani did.
That kind of versatility—intimidating batters and then turning around to launch massive home runs—feels almost unreal when the stakes are highest.
Remarkable Moments for Three Lucky Fans
Ohtani’s night wasn’t just about him. Three people ended up with home run balls that might be some of the most valuable in baseball history.
Each ball has its own story, and honestly, the way they ended up in these fans’ hands just adds to the legend.
Carlo Mendoza’s Serendipitous Find
Carlo Mendoza wasn’t even sitting in the stadium when he came across history. Ohtani’s second home run sailed nearly 500 feet and actually cleared Dodger Stadium, landing in the bushes outside.
Mendoza just happened to find the ball and now hopes video footage can prove it’s the real deal. Since it left the official field of play, they still need to authenticate it, but if it’s verified, it could be worth a fortune.
David Flores’ Instant Treasure
The third home run landed right in David Flores’ hands. Within seconds, other fans tried to buy it off him—some offered as much as $4,000 in cash on the spot.
Flores said no to all of them, realizing this ball could change his life. Auction experts think it might fetch anywhere from $3 million to $5 million if he decides to sell.
Randy Johnson and the First Home Run Ball
The first homer’s destination is a bit of a twist—it’s now with Randy Johnson. The Hall of Famer hasn’t said what he plans to do with it.
Some memorabilia pros figure if all three balls get sold as a set, the price could be absolutely massive.
The Potential Financial Impact
Auction expert Mike Keys thinks selling these three balls together could push the value even higher because of how rare the story is. In sports collectibles, it’s often the story and the proof that make the difference.
This event has both in spades.
What Makes These Memorabilia Pieces So Valuable?
The value comes from a few things:
- Historical rarity — First time a pitcher’s ever hit three home runs in a postseason game.
- Player significance — Ohtani’s a generational talent who’s famous worldwide.
- Game context — It happened in a crucial game that sent the Dodgers to the World Series.
- Storytelling — Each ball’s got its own wild backstory, which makes them even more collectible.
Legacy Beyond the Game
Ohtani’s record-setting night will stick around, not just in highlight reels but probably in auction catalogs, too. The mix of athletic brilliance, big-game drama, and these personal fan stories has created something that feels bigger than baseball.
From the Field to Fortune
Mendoza, Flores, and Johnson now share a unique bond. These baseballs link them forever to one of the sport’s greatest achievements.
If they sell, the financial rewards could be staggering. If they keep them, they’re holding a piece of baseball lore that might only grow in significance as years go by.
Shohei Ohtani’s extraordinary night showed that in baseball, history can be made in an instant. Sometimes, fate just drops that history right into the hands of a lucky fan.
Here is the source article for this story: Lucky fans who caught Ohtani’s postseason home run balls could break records
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