LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (AP) — Freddie Freeman’s historic walk-off grand slam ball from Game 1 of the World Series has sold for $1.56 million at auction.
The bidding at SCP Auctions went into the late hours of Saturday night, according to a statement from the auction house on Sunday. It didn't say who bought the ball.
Freeman, the Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman, came to the plate on a sprained right ankle with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning against the New York Yankees. He hit the first pitch from Nestor Cortes 413 feet for the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history.
The Dodgers won the game 6-3 and went on to claim the franchise’s eighth World Series championship in five games. Freeman was named World Series MVP.
The ball landed in the right-field pavilion, where it was corralled by 10-year-old Zachary Ruderman, who lives in Los Angeles. The ball rolled from the seat in front of him to his feet and he batted it to his father, Nico, who jumped on it.
The fifth-grader had been told he was leaving school early that day to get his braces removed. Instead, his parents took him to Dodger Stadium.
It’s the second ball connected to the Dodgers to be auctioned this season. The ball hit by Shohei Ohtani that made him the first player in major league history with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season sold for nearly $4.4 million. It set a record for the sale of any sports ball.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
FILE - New York Yankees relief pitcher Nestor Cortes, right, watches as Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman, left, hits a walk-off grand slam home run during the 10th inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson was carted into the locker room and quarterback Jordan Love hurt his throwing elbow in the second quarter of Sunday's loss against the Chicago Bears.
The Packers announced in the second quarter that both players were questionable to return, but they ruled out Watson at the start of the third quarter.
Coach Matt LaFleur said after the game that Love was held out as a precaution. The QB had some practice tosses on the sideline late in the game.
Watson missed the Packers' 27-25 loss at Minnesota last weekend with an injured left knee. This injury appeared to involve his right knee.
This latest injury didn't appear to result from any contact. He was running a pattern and went straight down as the pass was thrown to teammate Dontayvion Wicks. He clutched his right knee afterward.
After Packers officials went on the field to examine him, Watson walked to the sideline and went into the injury tent. Watson then held his left hand to his head as he was carted into the locker room.
Later in that series, Love faced heavy pressure from Austin Booker and Gervon Dexter before flipping a pass to Josh Jacobs. Love was shaking his throwing hand after the play and later got his arm examined on the sideline.
Malik Willis took over for Love during that drive, which ended with Jacobs' 8-yard touchdown run.
Television cameras showed Love gripping a ball as he sat on the sideline.
Green Bay (11-6) is the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs and will play at Philadelphia in the wild-card round.
In the days leading up to Sunday's 24-22 loss, LaFleur was asked about whether he would play his starters or rest them and make sure they were as healthy as possible for the playoffs.
“I think we’ve got to go in with the mindset that everybody can expect to play the entire game, and we’re going to play a football game to win the game, and that’s how we always approach it and always will approach it," LaFleur said. "Some guys could have less snaps than they normally might get, but that is to be determined.”
LaFleur noted that either decision could result in criticism. He referred to the 2021 season, when the Packers rested their starters for the second half of the regular-season finale at Detroit after they already had clinched the NFC's No. 1 seed. The Packers ended up losing at home to San Francisco in their opening playoff game.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) passes against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) reacts as wide receiver Christian Watson, bottom, is checked on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) is carted off the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Green Bay Packers' Romeo Doubs catches a pass for a two point conversion during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) carries against New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor (1) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
