Emily Sauvageau, a lifelong Colorado Rockies fan, made headlines when she caught Shohei Ohtani’s milestone home run during a recent game at Coors Field. The catch, which marked Ohtani’s 300th home run including those hit in Japan, happened just weeks ago, thrilling fans and creating a memorable moment for the Sauvageau family.

Emily’s deep connection to Rockies baseball runs in the family. Her father, Dan Sauvageau, a longtime Rockies supporter originally from Three Forks, Montana, took Emily to her first game as an infant, beginning a family tradition of attending games together. The Sauvageaus have been season ticket holders since 1997, occupying front-row seats in left field where Emily made her remarkable catch.

Emily’s Routine Transformed by a Once-in-a-Lifetime Play

During a Zoom interview with MTN Sports, Emily shared her passion for the game and the significance of her catch.

“Basically, I grew up at Coors Field. I went to my first game when I was seven months old,”

she explained, highlighting how baseball has always been integral to her life.

On the day of Ohtani’s historic home run, Emily was focused and cautious to avoid fan interference.

“I kept telling myself not to reach over (the left field wall) because I was terrified that I was going to get too excited and lean forward,”

she recalled. The home run ball flew toward her, and she instinctively reached out and

“basket caught it at the last second.”

Dan had an instinct about the moment before the game began.

“I just have a feeling Ohtani is hitting one over here and you need to catch it,”

he said. Yet, both were caught off guard by the speed of the play.

“We didn’t know it was Ohtani’s. To be honest, we had no idea,”

Dan admitted.

Immediate Media Attention and Fans’ Reactions

The catch quickly attracted widespread attention, particularly from Japanese media representatives eager to capture the story linked to Ohtani’s milestone. Emily described the sudden spotlight:

“It wasn’t even 30 seconds. I hadn’t even sat down yet.”

While the Los Angeles Dodgers did not follow up to reclaim the ball, fans approached Emily with offers and humorous requests to purchase the significant home run ball.

“Jokingly, like, ‘Hey, can I pay you for that?’ But it was just like, ‘Here’s $10 … can I have Ohtani’s home run?’”

she shared.

The Value and Future of the Milestone Home Run Ball

The Sauvageaus recognize the ball’s importance beyond the thrill of the catch.

“It’s an important home run ball for me, being the first one I’ve caught,”

Emily expressed, noting her emotional attachment. However, an auction company has proposed selling the ball at the 45th National Sports Collectors Convention in Rosemont, Illinois, scheduled for July 30 to August 3, where it could attract significant bids.

Dan explained the growing interest in Ohtani memorabilia:

“They keep thinking it will level off, the interest in Ohtani merchandise and memorabilia, and he was like, it’s just going up and up and up.”

Emily’s Softball Experience and Enduring Rocky’s Fan Legacy

Ironically, Emily caught the ball with a mitt she did not use regularly. A college softball first baseman at Adams State University who has earned conference Gold Glove honors, she avoided her usual mitt because

“the pocket, the way it’s laced, I’ve had a baseball go through it before when I was playing catch with my brother. The other one is a little tighter and a little more put together,”

she explained.

Having attended the Rockies versus Red Sox World Series game at just four years old, Emily estimates she has been to approximately 835 Rockies games, emphasizing her deep-rooted connection to the team and sport.

As for the proceeds should the milestone home run ball be sold, Emily noted a family plan: she intends to share the earnings with her younger brother Ryan, adding a heartwarming dimension to the memorable event.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Is Shohei Ohtani the only 50/50?

A. Shohei Ohtani is the sole athlete in the 50/50 club.