The estimated value of the baseball Corey Youmans caught on the fly last October in Arlington has bounced around since that night and finally landed thanks to a so-far silent bidder online.
“Final Sale Price for the Judge 62nd Home Run Ball: $1,500,000,” collectible auction firm Goldin posted on their social media.
New York Yankee slugger Aaron Judge swatted his 62nd and all-time American League-best home run against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in October. Youmans, a Dallas native, made a nice catch in the outfield bleachers and nabbed the instantly valuable baseball.
Three months after the catch, Youmans put the ball up for auction on the auction site with the collectible auction firm Goldin. 35-year-old financial worker turned down a confirmed bid of $2 million from a California sports memorabilia auction house, The Dallas Express reported.
“It seems fair in the sense it gives anyone that is interested and has the means the opportunity to own it,” Youmans said. “As a fan, I’m curious to see what it’s worth, who buys it, and what they do with it.”
David Baron, Youmans’s attorney, said an offer of $3 million was turned down.
“We actually had another offer for higher, and I was negotiating with that buyer,” Barron said. “They decided to participate in the auction.”
Goldin Auctions founder Ken Goldin said, “We expect the final bidding to be over $3 million,” Fox News reported.
The ball Mark McGwire hit in 1999 for his 70th home run sold for $3 million in 1999. Other baseballs that hit the auction block with significant value to major-league baseball and its fans include Babe Ruth’s 1933 All-Star Game ($805,000, 2006).
Barry Bonds’ 73rd home run set the MLB all-time single-season record in the 2001 season. That ball sold in 2001 for $517,500, according to Fox News. The ball from Bond’s 756th home run, passing Hank Aaron’s mark in 2001, sold for $752,467 in 2007. Bonds holds the all-time mark of 762.
The Yankees attempted to trade photos, memorabilia, and tickets, for the ball that night, but Youmans resisted the offers.
As of Sunday afternoon, Youmans, nor his attorney, have not responded to questions submitted by the Dallas express, nor has his attorney.
Before the ball sale, Youmans said he would like to see the baseball eventually make it back to Judge or into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
“It’d be great to get it back, but that’s a souvenir for a fan,” Judge said the night of the home run. “They made a great catch out there, and they’ve got every right to it.”
After his historic season, the Yankees slugger was named the Most Valuable Player of the American League and signed a $360 million, nine-year deal with the Bronx Bombers. Judge’s contract is the second highest in the MLB, behind only the New York Mets’ Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, and the highest ever for a position player.
Texas Ranger middle-reliever Jesus Tinoco has not responded to a comment from The Dallas Express. The 27-year-old and his Texas Ranger teammates ended a seven-game losing streak, 3-2, the night he gave up Judge’s home run, which pushed the Yankee to the AL all-time single-season record to pass Roger Maris and his 61 longballs in the Summer of 1961.
