The past few weeks have been a whirlwind for Zachary Ruderman.
He’s a 10-year-old Dodgers fan who ended up with one of the most important baseballs in team history — the one his favorite player, first baseman Freddie Freeman, hit for a grand slam during the 10th inning in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series against New York Yankees.
Since then, Zachary seems to have become one of the most famous people living in Venice.
“My son has received a lot more attention than ever before,” said his father, Nico Ruderman. He has spoken to many media outlets and given many interviews. People recognize him. I mean, literally everywhere we go, people stop him and want to take pictures with him. He was already in love with her. “It was a fun experience for him.”
This experience enters a new phase. Wednesday, SCP Auctions It was announced that the ball will be up for bidding from December 4 to 14. Just weeks after the Dodgers won their eighth World Series — in which Freeman hit four home runs and won two MVP honors, all because of a severely sprained ankle — SCP founder and president David Koehler said his company believes “the sky is the limit” for what can be done. The Dodgers make it happen. The auction can bring.
“We think this will reach seven figures,” Koehler said. “We think it’s one of the most historic baseballs ever, with that World Series moment, the first major championship, the whole story of Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers, Game 1, the extra innings. Just everything about it. I mean it’s one of the most historic moments in sports.” We feel people will appreciate that.
Last month, Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s 50th ball was sold by Goldin Auctions for a record $4.4 million. Could Freeman’s ball be worth more than that?
Zachary Ruderman holds Freddie Freeman’s grand slam ball with his parents, Nico and Anne, by his side.
(Courtesy of Nico Ruderman)
“It could be. You never know,” Koehler said. “We’ll find out. Sure, Ohtani’s ball was very, very important and Ohtani is beloved, but this represents baseball history and just in this moment – to see that happen was incredible.
Zachary, along with his father and mother Anne, were part of that moment. After Freeman hit the winning shot to right field, the ball rolled past Zachary’s feet. The fifth-grader pushed it to his father, who pounced on it, stood up and handed it back to his son.
“It’s just amazing memories,” Zachary said Thursday as he looked back on that night. “Like we got it, no one was mad. No one was trying to take it from us. Everyone was very happy.”
“We feel very fortunate and honored to be a small part of this huge moment in Dodger history,” his father added.
The experience was so special that at first the family had no intention of dropping the ball.
“That night when we caught her, we said, ‘We’re going to keep this forever,'” Ruderman said. “The problem is if we keep it, we won’t keep it in our house. I don’t want to pay for insurance on it, so it will be locked in a safe deposit box. No one will ever see it.”
Zachary Ruderman holds Freddie Freeman’s grand slam ball while posing with Los Angeles City Council Member Tracy Park at City Hall.
(Nico Ruderman)
“maybe [the auction] It brings in life-changing money that pays for our son’s education, and also allows someone with the resources to actually display it and show it to the world. We really hope whoever buys it will agree to display it at Dodger Stadium for a while so everyone can see it. “This is truly our desire.”
Even with all the amazing experiences he’s had because of the ball — including his favorite, speaking before the Los Angeles City Council at City Hall and receiving a congratulatory certificate from Councilmember Tracy Park earlier this month — Zachary said he’s “really excited” about the ball . Auction.
“It’s probably going to be a very fun experience,” Zachary said.
“We had fun,” his father added. “At this stage he is more interested in memories and pictures. He likes to read all the articles and watch all the news about them. That’s what’s fun for him, not the item itself.”
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