Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES — In a powerful gesture of giving back, the ball from the final out of the 2024 World Series—sealing the Los Angeles Dodgers’ eighth championship title—was auctioned off for $414,000 on Saturday night. The proceeds will benefit fire relief efforts in the Los Angeles area, aiding those impacted by recent devastating wildfires.
The historic ball was the one secured by catcher Will Smith after pitcher Walker Buehler struck out Alex Verdugo of the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the Fall Classic. That pitch marked the last out of the World Series, capping off a dominant run by the Dodgers and sending Los Angeles into celebration.
The auction, hosted by The Memorabilia Network, drew 17 bids after starting at $150,000 last month. The sale was the result of a collaboration between Smith’s Catching Hope Foundation, the Buehler Family Foundation, and the Dodgers organization.
To guarantee the ball’s authenticity, an MLB authenticator was on hand immediately following the final out in October. Photos from that night show the league’s hologram being applied to the ball as Smith and his teammates began their victory celebration.
Before it hit the auction block, the ball was displayed at Dodger Stadium during the team’s first homestand of the 2025 season, giving fans a chance to view a key piece of Dodgers history up close.
“Los Angeles has not only become home to us, but it has welcomed and supported our family since 2019,” Will Smith and his wife Cara said in a statement. “Our goal here is to give back and partner with the city that means so much to us in the years of rebuilding that are to come.”
The auction wasn’t just about memorabilia—it was about meaning. Harlan Werner of The Memorabilia Network reflected on the impact, saying, “I was honored to play a small part in something so important and historic. I am pleased with the results and grateful for the trust from all parties involved.”
The Dodgers organization also praised the effort, noting, “This prized baseball represents one of the most special moments in the long history of the Dodgers. We applaud and support Will and Cara for taking the initiative to help so many others through this cherished piece of sports history.”
This isn’t the only piece of Dodgers history to fetch a major figure in recent months. Last October, the ball from Shohei Ohtani’s milestone 50th home run of his 50 homer/50 steal season sold for nearly $4.4 million. And in December, the home run ball hit by Freddie Freeman to give the Dodgers the win in Game 1 of the World Series went for more than $1.5 million.
Each of these artifacts serves as a reminder of an unforgettable championship run—but more importantly, in this case, one has become a force for good in the community. For Dodgers fans, it’s one more reason to be proud—not just of the team’s performance on the field, but of the people behind the uniform.
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