This past Saturday night, December 14, baseball witnessed a landmark moment as the ball from Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series fetched an eye-popping $1.56 million at SCP Auctions, including the buyer’s premium. This sale places Freeman’s ball among the most valuable baseball artifacts ever to change hands, securing the third spot behind only Shohei Ohtani’s $4.392 million “50/50” home run ball and Mark McGwire’s 70th home run ball, which sold for roughly $3 million in 1999.
The moment Freeman provided, a historic grand slam to end Game 1 with the Dodgers trailing by one run, was a feat of rare significance. It was the second walk-off grand slam in postseason history, adding to the weight of his already impressive career. For context, Freeman’s home run surpasses the value of Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run ball, which sold for $1.5 million in 2022 after Judge set the American League single-season home run record.
But this sale is about more than just the monetary value—it’s about the significance of the moment and the history that baseball collectors, fans, and enthusiasts cherish so deeply.
A Monumental Moment in Dodgers Lore
Freeman’s grand slam sealed a victory for the Dodgers in the opening game of the 2024 World Series, helping Los Angeles take a 1-0 lead in what would ultimately become a five-game championship win. Freeman was named World Series MVP, a well-deserved honor for his pivotal role in securing the Dodgers’ second title in four years. His heroics in the Fall Classic continue to solidify his place as one of the game’s modern greats.
SCP Auctions President David Kohler called Freeman’s walk-off ball “one of the most important artifacts in World Series history.” And while that might seem like hyperbole, it’s a sentiment that resonates deeply when considering the rarity of the moment. In a sport so rich in history, where iconic moments often go unappreciated or vanish into the ether, Freeman’s grand slam represents a rare intersection of athleticism, drama, and historical significance.
The Fan Who Caught the Ball
The ball’s journey to auction is as much a part of the story as the moment itself. Zachary Ruderman, a 10-year-old Dodger fan from Southern California, was initially told he would leave school early to get his braces removed. However, much to his surprise, his parents took him to Game 1 of the World Series instead, where the young fan would witness a moment that would etch itself into baseball lore.
As Freeman’s blast soared into the stands, it bounced under the seat in front of Zachary, who, in a moment of perfect timing, batted the ball toward his father, who quickly secured it. It was an improbable scenario, one that felt scripted for the kind of baseball stories that endure for generations. The Ruderman family has since expressed a desire to see the ball one day displayed at Dodger Stadium, where it could be enjoyed by the fans who have cheered Freeman and the Dodgers on throughout their 2024 championship run.
In a statement, the Rudermans said, “We’re just a family of Dodger fans. It felt like everything aligned when the ball came to us.” It’s this connection between fans and the game that underscores the immense value of such memorabilia, a reminder that baseball’s most cherished artifacts are not only a reflection of the players and teams but also of the passionate communities that support them.
An Auction Record and a Glimpse of Baseball’s Future
The sale of Freeman’s ball represents the third-highest price ever paid for a baseball, a reflection of both the commercial power of sports memorabilia and the enduring emotional pull of iconic baseball moments. To some, the price might seem excessive, but for those who understand the history of the game, it’s a fitting valuation for an item that captures one of the sport’s rarest achievements.
Freeman’s walk-off grand slam now joins the ranks of other iconic baseball moments in history, each marked by a piece of memorabilia that transcends its original purpose. These balls are not just objects; they are living, breathing parts of the game’s legacy. Freeman’s home run, along with the ball that accompanied it, will be cherished for decades to come, and its monetary value only serves to underscore its place in baseball’s rich tapestry.
It’s worth noting that in the same auction, the only known Lou Gehrig World Series jersey from the 1937 season—worn by the legendary first baseman in several World Series games—failed to meet its reserve price. The jersey had been expected to fetch upwards of $4 million, but bidding did not reach the required threshold. While the failure to sell the Gehrig jersey may come as a surprise, it speaks to the fluctuating nature of the sports memorabilia market and the uniquely emotional draw of certain items, like Freeman’s historic grand slam ball, that strike a chord with collectors and fans alike.
A Legacy That Will Last
For Freddie Freeman, this is yet another validation of his place in baseball history, an achievement to go alongside his two World Series titles, his MVP awards, and his status as one of the premier players of his generation. To be the author of a moment as significant as his Game 1 walk-off grand slam—one that will be celebrated, auctioned, and remembered for generations—only adds to Freeman’s legacy.
For the Dodgers, this World Series victory, and the moments that shaped it, will remain painted on the hearts of fans for years to come. And for the Ruderman family, the ball they caught in a serendipitous moment of fate is now an enduring symbol of the magic that happens when a fan’s passion experiences the gift of baseball on the grandest stage.
The sale of Freeman’s grand slam ball is a reflection of why baseball holds such deep meaning for its fans, with moments like these becoming lasting parts of the sport’s history and monetary gain.