Father and Son Capture Historic World Series Home Run Balls

URGENT UPDATE: SCP Auctions has just confirmed the acquisition of two historic World Series home run baseballs caught by a father-son duo during the thrilling Game 7 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays. This exciting development unfolds as baseball fans eagerly await the auction of these prized possessions.

Earlier this week, SCP Auctions’ chief operations officer, Mike Keys, announced that the company’s inventory manager traveled to Ontario to retrieve the baseballs from John Bains and his son Matthew Bains. The duo caught the balls while sitting in the front row of Rogers Centre’s Section 143 during the electrifying 2025 MLB Postseason.

Bains, a dedicated season ticket holder, revealed he caught the game-tying home run ball hit by Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas in the top of the ninth inning. The climax of the game came when Matthew snagged the series-winning home run hit by Dodgers catcher Will Smith in the 11th inning. “I’ve had seats for the last 10 years and the main reason I picked these, after the [Rogers Centre] renovation, were for playoffs,” Bains stated, highlighting the emotional significance of their experience.

The authenticated process for these baseballs is currently underway, with Keys mentioning that it could take a few days. Bains, who runs MD Food Transport, attended the game with his two sons, including Matthew and his other son, Daniel. Prior to the game, he was prepared with baseballs caught from previous encounters, hoping to catch a home run. After catching the Rojas home run, he threw an extra baseball back onto the field, keeping the historic ball for himself.

While Major League Baseball confirmed that the Rojas and Smith balls were not covertly marked, they will not be authenticated by MLB due to league policy. SCP Auctions is required to collect sworn affidavits from John and Matthew Bains and conduct polygraph tests before listing the baseballs for sale. “With these balls that don’t get MLB stickered, that’s how we have to go about things,” Keys explained.

The potential sale of these baseballs is generating significant buzz. The last pitch ball for the 2024 World Series fetched an incredible $414,000, while a Dodgers home run from Freddie Freeman sold for $1.56 million—the third-most expensive baseball ever sold. Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions at Heritage Auctions, predicts that these baseballs will sell for well into six figures, with Smith’s home run ball possibly approaching seven figures.

As fans and collectors watch closely, the upcoming auction of these baseballs promises to be a landmark event in sports memorabilia. The emotional stakes are high for the Bains family, who have created unforgettable memories during this historic game. Stay tuned for updates as the authentication process unfolds and the auction date approaches.