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When Texas Rangers fan Cory Youmans caught Aaron Judge’s American League record-breaking 62nd home run of the 2022 season, the decision of what to do with the ball must have weighed heavily.
Youmans reportedly turned down an offer of $3 million for it, ultimately deciding to put it up for auction through Goldin.
After a bidding process that began in late November, the ball has now sold for $1.5 million with buyer’s premium — meaning Youmans will net $1.25 million from the sale.
The buyer was described by Goldin founder and executive chairman Ken Goldin as a “prominent Midwestern businessman and collector,” per AP.
“It seems fair in the sense it gives anyone that is interested and has the means the opportunity to own it,” Youmans told ESPN in the weeks following his historic catch. “As a fan, I’m curious to see what it’s worth, who buys it and what they do with it.”
“We’ve already had an offer for $3 million,” said Dave Baron, Youmans’ attorney, at the time. “Talking to the auction people, they don’t really commit to a number, but they said it just could be significantly higher based on New York, the New York fan base and how crazy it could get at an auction.”
The winning bid for the historic piece of baseball memorabilia fell significantly short of that offer and the record for a baseball sold at auction — set by the $3.05 million for Mark McGwire’s record 70th home run ball from the 1998 MLB season.
However, even if Youmans lost out on all of that guaranteed money, he’ll still go home with over $1 million and the distinction of selling the second-most expensive baseball ever — just for being in the right place at the right time.
