Shohei Ohtani’s rise to the top of the collecting world has mirrored his play on the field as he has quickly established himself as an all-time legend of the game of baseball and the hobby at once.
Most clearly seen in the massive demand for his cards — Market Movers has tracked nearly $18 million in card sales over the past year for the two-way star— his memorabilia, especially his game-worn jerseys, has garnered plenty of attention, too.
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Grey Flannel Auctions is auctioning off a pre-MLB jersey said to be worn by Ohtani during his time playing for the Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league in 2017, with bidding starting at $5,000.
This isn’t the first Nippon-Ham Fighters Ohtani jersey to cross the auction block, as Grey Flannel sold another back in 2024 for $65,000.
A game-worn jersey from Ohtani’s fourth game as a Los Angeles Dodger, signed and inscribed “24 NL MVP,” sold for $249,999 via Fanatics to set an all-time public record for any Ohtani jersey.
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In 2017, the last season Ohtani played in Japan before joining the Angels, he hit .332 and posted a 3.20 ERA as a pitcher.
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The lot, which also includes a player-worn sweatshirt, is accompanied by a letter of provenance from a team source.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.
AloJapan.com