Almost everyone is going gaga over one baseball player—Shohei Ohtani. Whether for that million-dollar smile or the thrilling gameplay, he is winning hearts. Ohtani just made his entry into the exclusive club of the 40-40, somewhere where legends like Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds are. Not only that, Shotime also managed to reach 40 home runs and 40 steals in just 126 games! Plus, while others on the iconic 40-40 list needed most of September to clench the goal, Ohtani managed it in August. He is breaking all boundaries and is now even looking towards the 50-50 goal. 

Imagine this: You’re at a Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Tampa Bay Rays game, and you actually catch a baseball. Not any ball, but a milestone ball. Because this is exactly what happened! After the Japense Icon shot the ball to the moon with that historic homer, it was the Rays’ CF Jose Siri who threw the historic 40th home run ball of Ohtani back to the crowd. 

Shohei Ohtani’s milestone ball lands in the stands, and the rest is history

Is this a hint of that certain someone inching towards being the next Sal Durante? Well, in 1961, Durante was sitting in the stands, watching the game. Little did he know that next up, he would be catching Roger Maris’s record-breaking 61st home run! But that’s not even the best part—he then went on to sell the ball for a whopping $5,000! The ball was returned to Maris, and while the amount might seem less, it was six decades ago. This time, it’s another fan who caught Shohei Ohtani’s legendary ball. Center fielder Jose Siri had chased down the ball and it bounced back into the field, then Siri inadvertently tossed it to the stands! Lucky for the fans, but for Shohei Ohtani, it’s a bummer because that ball is from his historic homer. Will the ball make its way to Ohtani again?

Fans rejoiced as they saw the homer and also saw the historic ball come flying at them! Now the fan has to decide if they keep it, sell it, or give it back to the team. If they are fans, it’s more than likely that they wouldn’t want Shohei Ohtani to miss this iconic ball and, hence, would probably give it away. But it might just so happen that the team otherwise has to coax the fan if they don’t themselves pass it on. From a signed baseball bat to getting VIP seat tickets and meeting the players, the fan can demand many such things. 

But did you know this isn’t the first time Shohei Ohtani has had his milestone ball caught by a fan? His first Los Angeles Dodgers home run ball was also caught by a fan! But Siri must be feeling guilty right now for messing it up. One time Pete Alonso was in Siri’s place, and he literally had to apologize.

Pete Alonso’s mistake nearly cost Masyn Winn his milestone ball

Masyn Winn got his first major league hit in his first MLB game—any rookie’s big dream. But his momentous ball was not immediately in his hands because Pete Alonso made a major mistake. The New York Mets’ first baseman threw the ball deep into the stands along Busch Stadium. Ouch! 

Pete Alonso didn’t do it on purpose; he just didn’t realize that it was Winn’s first MLB hit. And a wave of guilt did hit him, and later on, he described the entire situation as awful. According to Alonso, he just got lost in the moment and was just following the normal protocol that they always follow. It never occurred to him that this particular situation was different. He swore that he would henceforth roll every one and not throw it to the dugout. The fans of the St. Louis Cardinals were not thrilled, and Alonso received a lot of flak. But Alonso did apologize and say, “I know it sounds stupid but it’s just a bad brain fart. Throwing the ball in the stands, that robs him of a really special moment. I feel really bad thinking back on my first hit and just getting the ball thrown back to the dugout … I feel awful. I feel like a piece of crap.”

Thankfully, the person who caught the ball gave it back to the team. But the team had to offer an autographed ball, hat, and jersey to get the ball back. Such situations have happened time and again. Players,  in the heat of the moment, forget or don’t realize it’s an important ball. But well, lucky day for the fan, isn’t it?

Do you think this time too, a similar situation will play through? Also, do you think it was a silly mistake on Siri’s end to give up Shohei Ohtani ball without much thought? Let us know your thoughts!