Freeman’s World Series Walk-Off Ball Could Fetch Millions at December Auction
In a stunning development with baseball collectors buzzing, Freddie Freeman’s historic walk-off grand slam baseball from the 2024 World Series is heading to auction. The ball marked the first-ever walk-off grand slam in World Series history and will be available through SCP Auctions this December.
The memorable moment unfolded during Game 1 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium, where the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the New York Yankees. Despite nursing a sprained right ankle, Freeman stepped up to the plate in a high-pressure situation – bases loaded, two outs, bottom of the 10th inning. What happened next would become a baseball legend.
Freeman didn’t waste any time. He launched the first pitch from Yankees’ pitcher Nestor Cortes 413 feet into the right-field pavilion, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The dramatic 6-3 victory set the tone for the Dodgers’ eventual five-game World Series triumph, with Freeman later being named World Series MVP.
The story behind the ball’s recovery adds another layer of charm to this piece of baseball history. Ten-year-old Zachary Ruderman from Venice, Los Angeles, was the lucky fan who received the historic ball.
What makes the tale even more interesting is that young Zachary thought he was leaving school early for a dental appointment to have his braces removed. Instead, his parents surprised him with tickets to the game.
“That’s as good as it gets right there,” Freeman remarked after his historic hit. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts went even further, stating, “It might be the greatest baseball moment I’ve ever witnessed, and I’ve witnessed some great ones.”
The Ruderman family, who have consigned the ball to SCP Auctions, shared their hopes in a statement: “Our family hopes the baseball will be displayed in Dodgers stadium so all Dodgers and baseball fans can view an exceptional piece of history for the City of Los Angeles.”
SCP Auctions’ president, David Kohler, believes the ball is “easily worth seven figures.” This prediction doesn’t seem far-fetched, considering recent sales of significant baseball memorabilia.
Earlier this season, another piece of Dodgers history—Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball, which completed the first 50-50 season in MLB history—was sold for a record-breaking $4.4 million to a Taiwanese investment firm.
The upcoming auction, scheduled for December 4-14, is part of SCP’s “December Dynasty” event, which features various historical artifacts. Baseball enthusiasts and collectors will watch closely as this piece of World Series history finds a new home.
Freeman’s spectacular performance throughout the series, including four home runs and 12 RBIs, led the Dodgers to their eighth World Series championship. The walk-off grand slam ball represents not just a historic moment in baseball but a crowning achievement in Freeman’s career and a magical memory for Dodgers fans everywhere.
For those interested in owning this piece of baseball history, the auction presents a rare opportunity to acquire what many consider one of the most significant baseballs in recent World Series memory. As the December auction approaches, all eyes will be on this remarkable sports memorabilia that captures a dramatic moment when baseball history was made.