Question For Baseball People
 

What happens to the guy who caught A-Rod's 500th homerun ball (or any other important ball for that matter)? I'm pretty sure he has to give the ball back, but what if he doesn't want to? I'm pretty sure they can force him to. Does he get any money or anything?

He gets to keep it:thumbsup

Didn't they premark them all somehow too? I don't pay much attention, but my dad was telling me this the other day.

I'm pretty sure whoever gets it gets to keep it...I heard one of Barry Bonds homerun balls just sold for like 14 grand on ebay.

Yes, they did premark them. That's why I was convinced they'd would make whoever got #500 give it back. I may be wrong of course.

nope - it's a tradition in baseball that if a fan catches a ball it's his to keep. they would never go back on that because it would be a public relations nightmare.

baseball they say is making a big comeback - setting records for revenues and attendance etc

I knew fans get to keep the balls, but I thought an important ball like this might want to be kept by the MLB or A-Rod himself.

As has been said, the fan gets to keep the ball but usually the player will try to exchange it for another ball autographed, give the fan an autographed bat, take a picture, etc.

On a sidenote though, wouldn't it be great if whoever catches BB's 756 throws it back on the field in protest? I would fucking LOVE to see that. :p

The recent baseballs being pitched to A-Rod had were marked with a letter "A" and the number "30".

If I'd of caught it, I would have thrown it back on the field. But then... I'm a diehard Mariners fan first and foremost and a fan of baseball players that are in the game for the enjoyment of it. I've met Alex in person several times. He's a total asshole. To me it takes more to be a great baseball player than just hitting baseballs and fielding.


On another note, at the M's/BoSox game last night, they showed Bonds tying Hank Aaron's record. There were a ton more boos from the 46K+ in the stands than there was cheers.

(I'll hop off my soapbox now)

PK

I'm a big Yankee fan and even though I never met A-Rod or even heard him speak publicly, I must admit he sure looks like an asshole.

Interesting.. he does kind of seem like a prick I guess, I always kind of figured he was just shy or something.

My boys and I have been to Spring training in AZ many many times. Spring Training to me is all about the kids. Most of the players are very accommodating. When A-Rod was a Mariner he was the least likely to be found signing or chatting with the kids. In several years there only once did we run into a 'planned' Alex signing session. He wouldn't talk to the crowd during warmups and practice or anything. Talking about 1999 and 2000 when he was there. My sons were about 11 and 14 then. Avid baseball fans and very respectful of the player's time.

I can remember one time when my youngest stood 10 feet away while A-Rod with batting gloves on and bat in hand had a conversation with someone he knew. My son waited patiently for him to be finished. A-Rod glanced at him a couple of times and even took off one batting glove as though he was going to sign. When he was finished talking to his friend and started to turn away my son said "Mr Rodriguez would you sign?" the typical thing to say. He glanced at my son, rolled his eyes and walked away. Last time my youngest bothered with him at all.

I'm sure he's no different during Spring Training in Florida or at games.

I sit a couple of rows up behind homeplate at Mariners home games. He's boo'd every time he comes to bat when the Yankees are in town and he loves it. Should hear some of the comments from some of the people around me.

PK

The ball belongs to whomever catches it. People used to trade them to the player for some other piece of memorabilia. But recently, with the exception of the St Louis groundskeeper who caught Mark McGwire's 62nd home run ball that broke Roger Maris' single season record, people have been putting them up for auction because of the amount of money collectors were paying for them.

Besides A-Rod, Frank Thomas got to 500 homers for his career this season and Jim Thome only needs 10 more as well. Sammy Sosa hit his 600th earlier this season.

Give up the ball, monkey boy

Didn't realize until the M's/BoSox game last night that Manny Ramirez is only 12 away from 500.

PK

That's brutal. The athletes of today aren't like they were in the past.

One of my favorite childhood memories was meeting Bobby Hull just after he became hockey's first million dollar player. It was a public signing in a shopping mall and it was packed. But when I got up there (I was about 9 years old), I'll never forget the beaming smile on HIS face when he signed a portrait and gave it to me. Obviously he knew that it meant something to the people meeting him that day and he didn't disappoint. The appreciation HE seemed to feel for his fans, on that day at least, just doesn't exist much today.

Then, when your faith in humanity is questioned, one of them goes and does something like this...

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/...ry/150488.html

I guess there's good and bad eggs in any sport just like in life.

Back in the dinosaur days when Hank Aaron played for the Brewers (after breaking the record), my parents took me to a game at the Houston Astrodome. I was maybe 11 or so. Before the game he was down on the field doing an interview. I stood behind a railing that was several feet off of field level with program in hand. There were several people standing there with me (mostly adults). When he was finished, he walked to where we were..immediately the program I was holding was covered by dozens of other hands, programs, balls, and such. He looked me straight in the eyes and reached underneath the pile. I felt a hand and a tug on my program and he said "Is that one yours". I said, "Yes" He took it..signed it... handed it back to me with a wink and walked away from all the adults still waiting. I felt about 20 feet tall!

Going to Spring Training and also sitting in Diamond Club seats a Safeco for years now, I've seen some players that will talk to fans (especially kids) and sign until there's no one left wanting an autograph. Some of those are people who seem to enjoy the game itself more than other players. In recent Mariners' history, Mike Cameron was one of those. There's a few others here and there, but he was a fan and kid favorite the entire time he played in Seattle.

PK

PK, you have season tickets for the Mariners? Seems you really like your sports :)

I split a season of Diamond Club seats with a few other people. I don't think I could manage 80 home games a year, but yes.... I'm a big MLB and Football fan. Sad to admit I guess that one of the main reasons I didn't end up going to Miami this weekend was because I had Ms/BoSox tickets for last night.

Just got my Seahawks tickets for this year also.

And yes... I'm female (just in case there's still any doubt).

PK

Apparently a 15 year old boy got it in the scrum, and A-rod is in negotiations with the boy to get the ball back. Here is a link to the article

Link here