Aaron Judge’s historic 62nd home run ball sells for $1.5 million at auction

Major league ballplayers aren’t the only ones securing big paydays.

Aaron Judge’s record-setting 62nd home run ball sold for $1.5 million, according to Goldin Auctions. The auction closed on Saturday night for a winning bid of $1.25 million plus a $250,000 buyer’s premium.

Cory Youmans, the Rangers fan who caught the historic baseball at Globe Life Field in October, was seated in left field when Judge homered off a slider from Jesus Tinoco in the first inning. Youmans reportedly declined a $3 million offer after catching the ball before placing it for auction.

Judge’s home run chase eclipsed Roger Maris’ 61-year-old record and the slugger went on to win the American League MVP award. Shortly after, Judge re-signed with the Yankees on a nine-year, $360 million contract.

Youmans’ payday comes short of the most expensive price ever paid for a baseball. In 1999, comic book writer Todd McFarlane set the record after paying $3 million for Mark McGwire’s 70th home run ball of the 1998 season.

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