Taipei (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's viewership of the MLB World Series, pitting the New York Yankees against the Los Angeles Dodgers, has soared to its highest level in years.

A Taiwanese firm made headlines on the eve of the games after it won an auction for the 50th home run ball by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Japanese pitcher and designated hitter Ohtani Shohei (大谷翔平), per CNA. Taiwanese private investment firm UC Capital paid NT$140.6 million (US$4.39 million), the highest spent for any ball in any sport. 

According to Goldin Auctions, “A lot of people think baseball is going to Japan. It is not ... A corporation in Taiwan, who loves baseball, and who loves Ohtani, and who certainly would look to share his treasures with the world, has won the auction.” 

The winning bidder said it was honored to secure the memorabilia for Taiwan and hoped for the ball to cultivate the development of Taiwan's baseball. 

Taiwan's two largest sports broadcasters, Videoland Sports and ELTA Sports, drew their highest ratings in years for the first two games on Oct. 25 and 27. Videoland Sports’ ratings increased to 1.31% and 1.26%, respectively, compared to .55% and .60% for the previous World Series. 

The popularity among Taiwanese fans is also reflected in ticket prices. A Taiwanese who flew from Taiwan to watch the first game in Los Angeles bought the seat behind home plate for NT$1.61 million (US$50,000). The average ticket price for game one was approximately NT$55,000 (US$1,700) per ticket. 

Videoland Sports anchor Jacky Bing-sheng Lee (李秉昇) credited the record viewership to the Yankees-Dodgers matchup, two of the most popular baseball franchises in Taiwan. Lee also noted Ohtani’s charisma as one of the most successful Asian players in American baseball.