Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is stepping up to the plate in spearheading relief efforts for his country amid reports that an MLB baseball he signed will sell at a ballpark figure of around $15,000 at auction next week.
The auction, handled by RR Auctions, is set to end on May 11, and online users are encouraged to place their bids until it closes. Zelensky signed the ball during a visit to New York in September 2019, and it was later given to Randy Kaplan, a collector who auctions off baseballs donning autographs from famed celebrities.
“Now faced with an invasion by Russian forces, Zelenskyy has shown unmatched courage in the face of disaster,” RR Auctions said in its sale description. “He has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to democratic ideals and to the people of Ukraine.”
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Kaplan received the ball as a gift from Volodymyr Yelchenko, the former Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, according to a letter of authenticity included with the baseball.
The portion of the proceeds Kaplan receives from the sale will be donated to a Ukrainian relief fund to assist civilians who have been displaced during the Russian invasion, the collector said. RR Auctions will also donate all of the proceeds it collects from hosting the sale to the same relief effort.
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Millions have been displaced and tens of thousands have been killed since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
Fifteen people have already placed bids on the ball, with the current price at $4,000 as of Saturday afternoon.
