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Auction house collects WS HR balls from dad, son

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  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 20:58 GMT by ESPN

Renaissance Auctions. The firm, which opened its doors in 1985, has specialized for decades in curating high‑profile sporting relics. Over the years, it has sold items ranging from Babe Ruth’s knucklebones to Michael Jordan’s sneakers, but its recent foray into baseball‑specific events has made it a go‑to destination for collectors eager to own a slice of the World Series.

A rare generational link

Renaissance Auctions’ newest catalog features the home‑run ball from Game 3 of the 2019 World Series, when the San Diego Padres faced the Washington Nationals. The ball was struck by Matt Kemp, a veteran outfielder who had already carved out a solid career and was the Padres’ most potent offensive force that season. However, what makes this particular ball stand out is its provenance: it was later passed on to Kemp’s son, Jacob Kemp, who has been steadily rising through the ranks of the Padres’ minor‑league system. Jacob, now a 23‑year‑old outfielder in the Triple‑A affiliate, had already drawn attention for his clutch hitting in the minors and was projected to break into the majors in the near future.

The auction’s narrative is that the ball that once flew into the outfield of Petco Park now carries the legacy of a family that has been part of the baseball landscape for two generations. According to the auction house’s spokesperson, “It’s not just a piece of the game; it’s a story of continuity, of a father who set the standard and a son who is poised to follow in his footsteps.” The ball, which has been certified by MLB’s official authentication process, is expected to fetch a price that could exceed $100,000—setting a new record for the auction house’s baseball collection.

A second highlight of the sale is a home‑run ball from Game 5 of the 2021 World Series, hit by Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. Judge’s smash was a pivotal moment in the Yankees’ championship run, and the ball is now part of a broader collection that includes key moments from the last decade of World Series play. While Judge’s home run is the headline, the presence of the Kemp family ball in the same lot underscores the auction house’s strategy of grouping generational moments together.

The auction’s broader context

Renaissance Auctions has long partnered with MLB to obtain rights for selling game‑used items. In a press release issued in June, the firm announced a partnership that would allow it to auction off “rarely seen” memorabilia directly from MLB’s vaults. This arrangement has been a boon for collectors who have wanted to own tangible links to the sport’s biggest moments. The firm’s website also features a “World Series Moments” page that offers a timeline of every home run ball sold in recent years, with photos, player bios, and transaction details.

The auction house’s recent focus on World Series items is part of a larger trend in the memorabilia market. According to a recent analysis by the Sports Collectors Association, sales of World Series memorabilia have increased by 15% year over year, with online auctions driving the majority of that growth. Collectors are increasingly turning to digital platforms to buy high‑value items, as in‑person auctions have become less frequent due to logistical challenges.

Renaissance Auctions has also announced that a portion of the proceeds from the upcoming sale will be donated to the MLB Players Alumni Association, which supports retired players and their families. The firm’s CEO, Sarah Mitchell, said in a recent interview, “Baseball is a game of stories, and we’re proud to be part of preserving those stories for future generations. Every ball we sell helps tell a larger narrative—one that includes the past, the present, and the future.”

A call to collectors

The auction is set to open on October 23, with a live preview event in Chicago on October 18. Prospective buyers can place bids online through Renaissance’s secure platform, and the auction house has provided a live stream of the preview for those who cannot attend in person. In addition to the Kemp family ball and Judge’s 2021 home run, the auction will feature other notable items such as a bat from the 2015 World Series and a glove from the 2020 championship.

For collectors who want to own a piece of baseball history that spans generations, Renaissance Auctions’ upcoming sale is a not‑to‑miss event. It highlights not only the excitement of the World Series but also the emotional resonance that comes when a player’s legacy is passed down to the next generation. The ball that once traveled from the field of Petco Park to the hands of Matt Kemp—and now sits ready to be claimed by a new owner—remains a tangible reminder that the game’s magic is both timeless and deeply personal.