Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES — Dodger fans, here’s your chance to own a piece of history—and help your neighbors in the process.
The ball from the final pitch of the 2024 World Series—the one Walker Buehler fired for strike three, the one that smacked safely into the glove of Will Smith to seal the Dodgers’ eighth championship—is hitting the auction block. And it’s all for a great cause.
Will and Cara Smith, through their nonprofit Catching Hope Foundation, are auctioning off the historic ball with 100% of the proceeds going to support Los Angeles fire relief efforts. The auction is part of a collaboration between Catching Hope, the Buehler Family Foundation, and the Dodgers organization.
The Dodgers clinched the World Series with a thrilling 7–6 win over the Yankees in Game 5, a night every fan will remember forever. That final pitch? It’s more than just the last out of the season—it’s a symbol of everything this team fought for in 2024.
The auction wraps up tomorrow—Saturday, April 5 at 6 p.m. PST, so get your bids in now if you want to take home a truly iconic piece of Dodger lore. The auction is hosted online at tmnauctions.com, and you can also call 747-256-4144 for details.
In a joint statement, Will and Cara said:
“Los Angeles has not only become home to us, but it has welcomed and supported our family since 2019. 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 Dodgers added:
“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.”
For those unfamiliar, Catching Hope is a nonprofit founded by the Smiths focused on empowering underprivileged youth through leadership and life skills. You can learn more or support their work at catching-hope.org.
So if you’re looking to add to your Dodger collection and make a difference in the community—this is it. Course, it would help if you have A LOT of money lying around.
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