Judge's 62nd home run ball sells for $1.5 million at auction

Associated Press

Published: December 18, 2022 at 4:22 PM

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FILE - New York Yankees' Aaron Judge runs out his solo home run, his 62nd of the season, as Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jesus Tinoco looks on in the background during the first inning in the second baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Oct. 4, 2022 (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

FILE- New York Yankees' Aaron Judge connects for a solo home run, his 62nd of the season, off of Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jesus Tinoco as Texas Rangers catcher Sam Huff and umpire Randy Rosenberg look on in the first inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader in Arlington, Texas, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge watches his solo home run ball during the second inning of Game 5 of an American League Division baseball series against the Cleveland Guardians, Oct. 18, 2022, in New York. Judge has agreed to return to the Yankees on a $360 million, nine-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 because the deal had not been announced. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, file)

FILE - New York Yankees' Aaron Judge runs out his solo home run, his 62nd of the season, as Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jesus Tinoco looks on in the background during the first inning in the second baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Oct. 4, 2022 (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

RUNNEMEDE, N.J. – The ball New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge hit for his American League-record 62nd home run has sold for $1.5 million at auction.

The price is the second highest paid for a baseball auction, according to Goldin Executive Chairman and Founder Ken Goldin. He identified the buyer as a prominent Midwestern businessman and collector.

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Bidding on the ball opened on Nov. 29 and ended Saturday. The minimum opening bid was set at $1 million.

The home run ball was consigned to Goldin in November by Cory Youmans. He was sitting in the front row of section 31 in left field at Globe Life Field on Oct. 4 when Judge led off the second game of a doubleheader between the Yankees and Rangers and connected. Youmans snared the drive on the fly with his glove.

“That’s the magic of sports — this ball didn’t only change Aaron’s life, it changed the life of the fan who was in the stadium that night, too,” Goldin said in a statement. "We’re so proud to have been trusted by Cory to present this piece of history for public auction.”

Youmans identified the buyer only by his first name.

“Congratulations to Joe! Given the historical significance of #62, it was important to me that the selling process was fair, accessible and transparent,” Youmans said in a statement. “Joe seems like a great man and the perfect steward for this special piece of MLB history."

Roger Maris, a former Yankee, set the old record of 61 in 1961.

The highest price paid at auction for a baseball is $3 million. It was for one hit by Mark McGwire on Sept. 27, 1998, to reach 70 for the season. Comic book creator and artist Todd McFarlane bought the ball.

After completing one of the greatest seasons and winning the AL MVP, Judge agreed to a nine-year, $360 million contract with the Yankees.

Judge said in a conference call before the auction that he was not going to bid on the ball.

“He caught the ball, he’s the one that made the play out there in left field, so it’s his right to do what he wants with it," Judge said of Youmans. "Hopefully he’s making the right decision for him and his family.”

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