The first Shohei Ohtani game-used Los Angeles Dodgers jersey has hit the auction block, less than two months after the reigning MVP made his debut with the team.
Ohtani wore the jersey during an April 13 game against the San Diego Padres, going 0-for-2 with an RBI in the Dodgers' 5-2 victory.
The auction, which closes Wednesday, is being held by the Dodgers, and proceeds will benefit the team's charitable organization. The jersey has already reached $38,500 on 15 bids, but it has yet to meet the undisclosed reserve price.
Ohtani has established himself as arguably the most collectible athlete in the hobby over the past few years, in no small part due to his dual-threat abilities on the mound and in the batter's box — though he has been restricted solely to batting this season due to an arm injury.
Now in his seventh year in the MLB, the Japanese phenom garnered headlines after the Dodgers signed him as a free agent for a record $700 million contract this past offseason.
The two-time MVP is off to a blistering start thus far with the Dodgers, despite an off-the-field scandal in which his translator allegedly stole money from his bank account to bet on sports. In 32 games, Ohtani is batting .336 with seven home runs, 19 RBIs and a 1.017 OPS.
He ranks first in the majors in doubles (14), third in slugging (.618) and fourth in hits (44).
The record price paid for any Ohtani gamer is $228,600 for the jersey from his first grand slam, which Sotheby's sold in February 2023.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct. You can follow him on X at @Will__Stern.