The past few weeks have been a whirlwind for Zachary Ruderman.
He’s a 10-year-old Dodgers fan who played one of the most important baseball games in team history. His favorite player, first baseman Freddie Freeman, hit a walk-off home run with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning of Game 1. 2024 World Series vs. New York Yankees.
Since then, Zachary seems to have become one of the most famous people living in Venice.
“My son is getting more attention than he’s ever experienced before,” said his father, Nico Ruderman. “He’s spoken in so many media outlets and interviews. People recognize him. I mean, literally everywhere he goes, people stop him and want to take pictures with him. He really He loves it. It was a fun experience for him.”
The experience enters a new phase. On Wednesday, SCP Auctions announced that the ball will be up for bidding from December 4th to 14th. Just weeks after the Dodgers won their eighth World Series — Freeman hit four home runs and was named MVP, all because of a severe ankle sprain — SCP Founder and President David Kohler said he believes his company’s ambitions are “the sky’s the limit.” Auctions may result.
“We think this will get us into seven figures,” Kohler said. “We think this is one of the most historic baseball moments of all time, including this World Series moment, the first walk-off grand slam, Freddie Freeman and the Dodgers, Game 1, overtime in its entirety. Everything about it. I mean, this is one of the most historic moments in sports, and we feel that people are going to appreciate it.”
Last month, Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball was sold for a record $4.4 million by Goldin Auctions. Is Freeman’s ball worth more?
Zachary Ruderman holds up Freddie Freeman’s Grand Slam ball with his parents Nico and Ann by his side.
(Courtesy of Nico Ruderman)
“Maybe. You never know,” Kohler said. “We’re going to find out. Sure, Ohtani’s ball is very, very important and Ohtani is loved, but this is more of baseball history and just a moment and it happens.” It was truly incredible to see.”
Zachary was joined in the moment by his father and mother, Ann. After Freeman hit the final hit into the right-field pavilion, the ball rolled next to Zachary’s feet. When the fifth-grader handed it to his father, the father jumped on it, stood up and handed it back to his son.
“I have so many great memories,” Zachary said Thursday of that night. “Like after we got it, no one was mad. No one was trying to take it away from us. Everyone was so happy.”
His father added, “I feel very fortunate and honored to have been able to be a small part of such a big moment in Dodgers history.”
The experience was so special that the family initially had no intention of letting go of the ball.
“When we caught it that night, we thought, ‘We’re going to keep this forever,'” Ruderman said. “The problem is, even if I keep it, I’m not going to keep it in my house. I don’t want to pay the insurance premiums, so I keep it in a safe deposit box. No one’s going to see it.” Dew.
Zachary Ruderman holds Freddie Freeman’s Grand Slam Ball while posing with Los Angeles City Councilman Tracy Park at City Hall.
(Nico Ruderman)
“perhaps [the auction] Not only does it bring in life-changing money and pay for my son’s education, but it also allows those who have the resources to actually put it on display and show it to the world. We really hope that whoever buys it agrees to put it on display at Dodger Stadium for a while so everyone can see it. That’s really what we want. ”
Even though Zachary has had some great experiences because of Ball, including his favorite speech before the Los Angeles City Council at City Hall and receiving a letter of congratulations from City Council member Tracy Park earlier this month. Still, Zachary said he’s “really excited” about Ball. auction.
“It’s probably going to be a very fun experience,” Zachary said.
“We’ve had fun with the ball,” the father added. “At the moment he cares more about memories and photos. He loves reading all the articles and seeing all the news articles about it. It’s fun for him and the item itself Not.”
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