TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei 101 unveiled Los Angeles Dodgers' slugger Shohei Ohtani’s famed 50/50 ball, representing his 50th home run and 50th stolen base for the 2024 season on Wednesday (Nov. 13).
The baseball became the most expensive ball in sports history at an auction on Oct. 23 in the US, fetching a record NT$140 million (US$4.4 million). The ball was purchased by Taiwanese private investment firm, UC Capital, which is based in the Taipei 101 building.
The ball is part of a larger “Dreams Fly High” exhibition taking place on the 89th floor of the skyscraper. The exhibition is open to anyone who buys a ticket to the Taipei 101 Observatory and will run until March 2, per UDN.
In addition to the 50/50 ball, the exhibition features items such as Shohei Ohtani's baseball jersey, baseball cap, and autograph on loan from sports memorabilia collectors. The Taiwan Baseball Hall of Fame also lent signed jerseys, caps, and baseballs from famous domestic players such as Chen Jin-feng (陳金鋒) and Wang Chien-ming (王建民).
Taipei 101 Chair Chia Yeong-chieh (賈永婕) said Ohtani’s 50/50 ball represents the “priceless spirit” that can motivate the next generation of Taiwanese athletes to never give up. Chia said that exhibiting the baseball demonstrates Taiwan’s love of baseball to the world, and will inspire more Japanese visitors to come to Taiwan.
The exhibition of the 50/50 ball is part of a fundraiser for rural grassroots baseball in Taiwan. Taipei 101 donated NT$2 million (US$62,700), joining other businesses that have so far raised a total of NT$8 million (US$247,000). Other dignitaries attending the opening included Minister of Transportation and Communications Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) and Tourism Administration Director-General Chou Yung-hui (周永暉).
The exhibition also coincides with the start of the Premier12 baseball tournament featuring the top teams in the world as Taiwan takes on South Korea at the Taipei Dome on Wednesday (Nov. 13). Ohtani's 50/50 ball was sold by Goldin Auctions, with bidding starting at US$500,000 (NT$16 million) before ending at a record valuation for a sports ball.
