The Online auction There are only four days left for Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball and the highest bid is now $1.8 million.

The auction was somewhat overshadowed by the legal situation surrounding the ball. Christian Zacek left Miami’s LoanDepot Park with the ball after gaining possession in the left stands. Max Matus and Joseph Davidov each claim in separate lawsuits that they grabbed the ball first.

Ohtani became the first player in baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases In one season, he reached the milestone on September 19, when the Los Angeles Dodgers star hit his second of three home runs against the Marlins.

Zacek was identified in the initial lawsuits as Chris Belanski. Matus’ updated lawsuit, obtained by The Associated Press on Friday, changes the defendant’s name to Zacek and removes Goldin Auctions as a defendant.

“The contract with Goldin for the sale of the ball is with Christian Zacek,” Matus’ attorney John Uustal said in a statement. “It appears to be the same person at the stadium who may have been listed as Belanski at the stadium.

“It was difficult to identify and trace him, at least for a few days after the game. But regardless, the court now has control of the proceeds of the auction, and our lawsuit is against Zacek, who signed the contract with Goldin.”

All parties involved in the dispute agree that the auction should continue.

“This agreement provides prospective buyers with the assurance that the historic 50/50 baseball will be sold free of charge and free of any legal claims to the baseball against the future buyer,” Zacek’s attorneys said in a statement. “We believe this agreement reflects the recognition of all parties for this monumental achievement and will allow the full value of this historic 50/50 baseball to be fully realized at auction.”

Matus’ lawsuit alleges that the Florida resident – who was celebrating his 18th birthday – came into possession of the Ohtani ball before Zacek took it away from him. Davidov claims in his lawsuit that he “was able to grasp the ball firmly and completely with his left hand while on the ground, successfully taking possession of the ball 50/50.”

Davidov is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.

The winning bid for Ohtani’s ball is $1.8 million, but the buyer would have to pay nearly $2.2 million after fees are included. The auction ends on Tuesday.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB