Ohtani's 2026 WBC Jersey Sells for Record $1,500,010

A jersey worn by Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani during Japan's opening game at the 2026 World Baseball Classic sold for $1,500,010 at an official MLB auction that closed Sunday night. The unsigned garment, from the March 6 matchup against Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome in Japan, marked the highest price ever paid for an Ohtani jersey.

Ohtani, serving as the designated hitter for Samurai Japan, delivered a standout performance in the 13-0 victory. He recorded three hits in five at-bats, including a double on the first pitch of the game and a grand slam to right field in the second inning that drove in five runs. The jersey captured a moment of early tournament dominance, though Japan fell short of expectations, exiting in the quarterfinals with a loss to eventual champion Venezuela. Ohtani finished the event with three home runs and a .462 batting average.

The auction, which ran for seven days starting March 15, drew intense interest with more than 290 bids. Collectors competed vigorously, pushing the price well beyond $1 million before the final sale. This figure shattered the previous record for an Ohtani jersey, an autographed piece from his 2024 debut season with the...