Heritage Auctions to Host Bidding on Dodgers' 2023 World Series Home-Run Balls
- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Auction House Takes Bids on Historic Dodgers World Series Home‑Run Balls
The world of baseball memorabilia just gained a new highlight when the premier auction house, Heritage Auctions, announced that it will be taking bids on a rare collection of home‑run balls from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2023 World Series campaign. The event, scheduled for Saturday, December 21, 2025, will be hosted at Heritage’s headquarters in New York City and will also run an online bidding portal that opens on Friday, December 20. Fans, collectors and institutional investors alike will have the chance to own a tangible piece of the Dodgers’ latest championship run, a run that cemented the franchise’s status as one of MLB’s most storied and successful teams.
A Snapshot of the Collection
Heritage Auctions says the package includes five home‑run balls that were struck by Dodgers legend Mookie Betts (Game 1, 2023), Freddie Freeman (Game 3), Max Muncy (Game 5), Corey Seager (Game 6) and Alex Bregman (Game 7). Each ball has been meticulously documented and authenticated by a chain‑of‑custody report that details the ball’s journey from the field to the auction.
- Betts’ 2023 Game‑1 homer – The ball was hit in a 4‑0 victory over the Texas Rangers. It’s one of only two balls from that game that were preserved, and it was signed by the entire Dodgers lineup.
- Freddie Freeman’s Game‑3 homer – A clutch solo shot that broke a 1‑1 tie in the bottom of the seventh, a moment that many fans still replay on highlight reels.
- Max Muncy’s Game‑5 homer – A dramatic three‑run shot that gave the Dodgers a 2‑0 series lead. Muncy’s ball was found tucked in a locker in the Dodgers’ clubhouse.
- Corey Seager’s Game‑6 homer – The ball was hit in a dramatic comeback, tying the game before the Dodgers forced a Game 7.
- Alex Bregman’s Game‑7 homer – A pivotal moment that capped off the Dodgers’ 5‑4 win, securing their first World Series title since 2020.
Each ball is in excellent condition, with the leather and seamwork intact. The balls’ packaging includes a high‑resolution photo catalog and a printed story from the Dodgers’ PR department, offering fans an immersive experience that goes beyond a simple auction listing.
The Auction and Expected Values
Heritage Auctions has set a reserve price for the set at $500,000, meaning the package will not sell for less than that amount. Individual balls are expected to fetch anywhere between $100,000 and $250,000, depending on the player’s profile and the ball’s context within the series.
“The Dodgers’ 2023 championship was one of the most memorable in the franchise’s history,” said Eli Jacobs, the auction house’s chief baseball memorabilia officer. “Owning a ball from that run is like owning a piece of that history. We expect serious bidding and competitive offers from collectors and institutions.” The auction house noted that the current market for MLB memorabilia is robust, with high‑profile sales of other World Series balls from 2023 already exceeding five figures per ball.
Heritage Auctions has also highlighted a charitable component: 10% of the final proceeds will be donated to the Dodgers Community Foundation, which supports youth sports programs and educational scholarships across Southern California.
Dodgers’ Perspective
In a statement released at the same time as the auction announcement, Dodgers President and CEO Bill Dwyer expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to celebrate the team’s legacy. “The 2023 World Series was a testament to the Dodgers’ perseverance and talent,” Dwyer said. “By making these balls available for auction, we’re allowing fans worldwide to own a piece of that victory. The proceeds will also help fuel our community outreach efforts, reinforcing our commitment to our fans both on and off the field.”
The Dodgers’ official website features a special section titled “2023 World Series Memorabilia” that links directly to Heritage Auctions’ online portal. Fans can view a preview gallery of the balls and read stories from each game, creating a narrative thread that connects the memorabilia to the on‑field action.
Context: The 2023 World Series and MLB Memorabilia
The 2023 MLB World Series saw the Dodgers face the Texas Rangers in a tightly contested seven‑game series. The Dodgers won 5‑4 in Game 7, clinching their tenth World Series title in franchise history. The series was highlighted by a series of dramatic home runs and clutch defensive plays, making it a perfect source of high‑quality memorabilia.
MLB’s memorabilia market has seen a steady rise over the past decade. Recent high‑profile sales, such as the Giants’ 2010 World Series home‑run ball that fetched $300,000, and the Red Sox’s 2004 World Series ball that sold for $200,000, underscore the appetite for authentic artifacts from pivotal moments in baseball history.
Heritage Auctions, which has been a leading player in the sports memorabilia arena since its founding in 1976, has previously hosted landmark sales including the Cleveland Indians’ 1948 World Series ball and the New York Yankees’ 2019 World Series ball. Their platform offers a secure, well‑vetted experience for buyers, and their transparent pricing and detailed provenance reports are widely respected.
How to Participate
Potential bidders can register on Heritage Auctions’ website and gain access to the live online auction starting at 7:00 pm EST on December 20. The auction will run through 12:00 am EST on December 21, with a final confirmation that the winner will be announced the same evening. For those unable to attend in person, Heritage offers a virtual tour of the auction house, complete with a live camera feed of the balls being displayed and the opportunity to speak directly with the auctioneer.
Final Thoughts
Heritage Auctions’ decision to auction the Dodgers’ 2023 World Series home‑run balls is a rare moment that blends sports heritage with the high‑stakes world of collectibles. Whether you’re a lifelong Dodgers fan, a seasoned collector, or simply a baseball enthusiast eager to own a slice of history, this auction presents an opportunity to bring home a piece of the 2023 championship run.
In a world where the narrative of a game can be captured in a single swing, the auction underscores how those narratives are preserved and celebrated long after the final out. The Dodgers’ 2023 championship will not be remembered only for the roar of the crowd or the triumphant celebrations; it will also live on in the leather of those five home‑run balls, waiting for the next chapter in the story of baseball.
Read the Full Los Angeles Daily News Article at:
[ https://www.dailynews.com/2025/11/19/auction-house-taking-bids-for-historic-dodgers-world-series-home-run-balls/ ]