BREAKING: SCP Auctions has just confirmed the acquisition of two historic World Series home run baseballs caught by a father-son duo during Game 7 of the 2025 MLB Postseason at Rogers Centre in Toronto. This exciting development comes as the auction house’s inventory manager traveled to Ontario to collect the prized balls from John Bains and his son Matthew Bains earlier this week.
The baseballs, which are currently awaiting authentication, include the game-tying home run hit by Miguel Rojas of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the series-winning home run by Will Smith. John Bains, a season ticket holder for the Blue Jays, caught Rojas’s ball in the top of the ninth inning, while Matthew snagged Smith’s monumental hit in the 11th inning, both from the coveted first row of Section 143.
Bains, a resident of Brampton, Ontario and founder of MD Food Transport, expressed his thrill at attending the game with his sons, Matthew and Daniel. “I’ve had seats for the last 10 years, and the main reason I picked these was for the playoffs,” Bains stated. With a keen eye on the action, he even brought along baseballs from previous games, anticipating a memorable moment.
In a twist of fate, after catching the Rojas home run, Bains threw one of his extra baseballs back onto the field, ensuring he held on to the historic ball. However, Major League Baseball has verified that these specific baseballs will not receive official authentication due to league policy regarding balls that leave the field without direct oversight from an official authenticator.
SCP Auctions Chief Operations Officer Mike Keys highlighted the rigorous process required for these baseballs to be auctioned. “We need to collect sworn affidavits and conduct polygraph tests with John and Matthew before the sale,” Keys explained. This process underscores the authenticity and integrity of the auction.
The market for high-value baseball memorabilia is booming. Earlier this year, a ball authenticated from the final pitch of the 2024 World Series sold for an astonishing $414,000, while a walk-off home run ball from Freddie Freeman fetched $1.56 million in December, making it the third-most expensive baseball ever sold.
Experts are predicting that the Rojas and Smith home run balls could command similar attention. Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions at Heritage Auctions, stated, “I think these baseballs will be well into six figures. Smith’s home run is going to top the Rojas ball—I wouldn’t be surprised to see that approach seven figures.”
Sports fans and memorabilia collectors alike are eagerly watching this developing story. With the auction process underway and the potential for record-breaking sales, the excitement surrounding these two baseballs is palpable.
As this story unfolds, all eyes will be on SCP Auctions as they prepare to authenticate and eventually auction these historic pieces of sports history. Stay tuned for updates as the auction date draws closer!
