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 baseball hits in the team’s history — that of his favorite player, first baseman Freddie Freeman, who hit a grand slam during the 10th inning of Game 1. 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees.
Since then, Zachary seems to be one of the most famous people living in Venice.
“It’s more attention than my son has ever had,” said his father, Nico Ruderman. “He spoke to many media outlets, and did many interviews. People know him. I mean, literally everywhere we go people stop him and want to take pictures with him. He actually really liked it. It was a happy experience for him.”
That experience enters a new phase. On Wednesday, SCP Auctions announced that the ball will be sold from December 4-14. Coming weeks after the Dodgers won their eighth World Series — Freeman hit four home runs and won MVP honors, all while suffering a sprained ankle — SCP founder and president David Kohler said his company thinks “the sky’s the limit.” in what the auction can bring.
“We think this will bring in seven figures,” Kohler said. “We think it’s one of the most historic baseball events ever, during this World Series, the first grand slam, the whole Freddie Freeman story, the Dodgers, Game 1, extra innings. That’s all about it. I mean, it’s one of the most historic moments in sports and we feel like people are going to enjoy that.”
Last month, Dodgers’ 50th home run ball by Shohei Ohtani was sold by Goldin Auctions for a record $4.4 million. Could Freeman’s ball be worth more than that?
Zachary Ruderman holds up Freddie Freeman’s football with his parents, Nico and Anne, by his side.
(Courtesy of Nico Ruderman)
“Can be. You never know,” Kohler said. “We will find out. Of course Ohtani’s ball was very important and Ohtani is loved, but this is more the history of the game of baseball and right now – to see that happen was very amazing. “
Zachary, along with his father and mother Anne, were part of that moment. After Freeman blasted his game-winning shot into right field, the ball rolled near Zachary’s feet. A fifth grade student hit his father, jumped up and returned it to his son.
“Just great memories,” Zachary said Thursday, looking back on that night. “Since we found it, no one had entered. No one was trying to take it away from us. Everyone was very happy.”
His father added: “We feel fortunate and honored to be a small part of such a great moment in Dodger history.”
The experience was so special that at first the family did not intend to part with football.
“That night when we held it we were like, ‘We’re going to keep this forever,'” Ruderman said. “The problem is that if we keep it, we will not keep it in our house. I don’t want to pay for insurance on it, so it will just be locked in a safety deposit box. No one would ever see it.
Zachary Ruderman holds his Freddie Freeman grand slam while standing with LA City Councilmember Traci Park at City Hall.
(Nico Ruderman)
“It’s possible [the auction] it brings in life-changing income and pays for our son’s education, and allows someone with resources to show him off and show him to the world. We really hope that whoever buys it agrees to display it at Dodger Stadium sometime for everyone to see. That is really our desire.”
Despite all the surprises he’s experienced because of football — including his favorite, speaking in front of the Los Angeles City Council at City Hall and receiving a certificate of congratulations from Councilwoman Traci Park earlier this month — Zachary said he’s “excited” about the auction.
“It’s probably going to be a lot of fun,” said Zachary.
“We had fun with football,” added his father. “At the moment you are more concerned about memories, pictures. He likes to read all the articles and watch all the news related to it. That’s what makes him happy, not the thing itself.”
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