Ambar Roman, a Dodgers fan, found herself in the spotlight after snagging superstar Shohei Ohtani’s first-ever home run as a Los Angeles Dodger during Wednesday’s game against the San Francisco Giants.
However, her moment of triumph quickly turned into a situation of distress as she revealed to Sam Blum of The Athletic that she felt “pressured” by security personnel to surrender the prized baseball.
The fan that caught Shohei Ohtani's first Dodgers home run received a signed bat, ball & two hats.
But the fan and her husband say the Dodgers separated them, refused to authenticate the ball & pressured her into a quick deal.
Here's what they told me: https://t.co/PnnSywQBiq pic.twitter.com/MXjn1RbrgU
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) April 4, 2024
After retrieving the ball that landed near her feet, Roman and her husband, Alexis Valenzuela, were escorted from the stands by security. Subsequently, what Blum described as “hardball tactics” ensued.
Roman and Valenzuela recounted that they were separated by security staff, subjected to pressure tactics, and given little choice but to relinquish the baseball for a less-than-satisfactory offer.
Initially, the Dodgers offered two caps signed by Ohtani in exchange for the ball, which an auction house representative suggested could fetch at least $100,000.
According to Roman, the team’s approach included the threat of refusing to authenticate the baseball if she decided to keep it.
This threat posed significant consequences, potentially rendering the ball worthless and coercing Roman to accept the trade.
The home run, a pivotal moment in the Dodgers’ 5-4 victory over the Giants, holds deeper significance as Ohtani is regarded as a generational talent and two-time American League MVP.
While Roman eventually accepted the Dodgers’ offer of two signed hats, a signed bat, and a signed ball, Valenzuela expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, believing that a fairer deal could have been reached.
“We’re not trying to extort anyone. It’s not that we’re money hungry,” Valenzuela clarified. “It’s just that it’s a special moment, it’s a special ball. I just think it’s fair for it to be equally rewarded.”
The issue extends beyond compensation, as the couple expressed disappointment in the treatment they received at the game.
“It just disappeared. We were kind of left stranded. It’s not necessarily that we wanted a million. Just something nice. Take care of your fans. Especially when they got something that’s way more valuable,” Valenzuela lamented.
Regarding the Dodgers’ stance on the matter, a team official stated that they are “open to a further conversation with the fan about the transaction.”
