Dodgers Win World Series, Judge's Ball Auctioned

The dropped fly ball by Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series has sold for $43,510 at an MLB auction, with proceeds benefiting the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. Judge's error occurred during a pivotal moment when the Yankees were leading 5-0, which allowed the Dodgers to score five runs and ultimately win the game 7-6, clinching the championship. This incident highlighted fundamental issues within the Yankees' gameplay, contrasting with the Dodgers' execution. The auction for the ball attracted 101 bids, with the price surging by over $26,000 on the final day. Despite its significance, the ball is not the most valuable from the series; Freddie Freeman's walk-off grand slam ball is currently fetching bids around $600,000. Notably, the auction also emphasizes the evolving market for baseball memorabilia, especially from high-stakes games.