Not only was it his 3000th hit but it was a home run that seemed to hang in the sunny air before gracefully moving toward the seats.
Long time Yankee fan Christian Lopez effortlessly caught the ball; a ball estimated to be worth a quarter of a million dollars in the sports memorabilia industry.
Lopez returned the ball to Jeter and was rewarded with tickets for the rest of the season along with free food and tons of Yankee paraphernalia.
Jeter is a multi-millionaire who will now earn more millions because of this hit and the Yankees are the richest team in history. I would have asked for money. I really would have. They could give it to me quietly and I'd sign a confidentiality agreement and they could have their moment in the sun sound byte.
Actually I'm going to think that's what happened, otherwise this kinda pisses me off.
20 comments:
" I would have asked for money. I really would have. They could give it to me quietly and I'd sign a confidentiality agreement and they could have their moment in the sun sound byte."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA!
*nodding my head*
Yup....me too!
Have a great Sunday, dear lady!
X to you and the gang!
Another surprise ending. You were so full of praise, and then YOU TURNED!
To the long time Yankee fan, this moment was probably PRICELESS!
It was an amazing moment (as were the two hits that followed the homer)--which I caught in re-run. But I think Christian Lopez is every bit as classy as Jeter. Perhaps more so--he didn't even think about keeping that ball, just wanted his idol to have it.
That is special.
Kinda restores one's hope for humanity...
I agree with DS. A lot of fans would have kept that ball and sold it.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Jeter could well afford to come up with 250K for this kid.
I'm not a Yankees fan, but I couldn't help but cheer at Jeter's homer. *That's* the way to seal the deal!
I bet it was what it was... the fan didn't hit it and he probably felt he should return it to the owner. It was the right thing to do but yeah it probably stung a little or a lot.
I read your last several posts and enjoyed each one very much. I heard about the return of the ball. It must have given Mr Lopez much satisfaction and memories he will keep all his life – priceless.
Since I don't follow sports, this really had little meaning to me, but I'll bet that is not the same for any and all Yankee fans.
I loved what Mr Lopez said, it made me fa-klempt .. then I learned what the Yankees and Mr Jeter gave him .. and I thought 'seriously? seats you gave him seats so expensive they're empty anyway? And just for the rest of this season? Seriously?'
Not a sports fan, but yeah, I would have asked for money too. Or signed the ball as the person who caught it ;) (evil laugh)
I love baseball commentary! We don't get it here but I sometimes catch a glimpse on CNBC.
I posted this topic on FB and my blog today... yeah, a little late, but what can I say... I'm a Phillies fan. ;) Actually, I hadn't even heard about it until I caught a few minutes of the talk on NJ 101.5 today.
The kid was sweet (naive?)about it, saying that he's young and has many years to make money.
Hey, I would have gladly given the ball back but MLB is a major business so I'd have had my agent negotiate a nice contract for me and it would have had to include some cash!
Great post Dianne. This guy really looks thrilled. Wouldn't it be nice if they sold the ball and donated the $ to charity in honor of them both?
It would be nice if he got a little cash too.
Perhaps that is exactly what happened and the "confidentiality agreement" will keep us from ever knowing.
Yeah, I'm with you. I hope the guy got some actual cash out of this. I mean, yeah he didn't hit the ball but that isn't how this sort of thing works. I'm sure Jeter doesn't give a shit about it and it will end up in some baseball hall of crap anyway.
I posted on this on Monday and have the opposite take. First off, the Yankees gave the kid the seats...Jeter had nothing to do with it. Jeter
did not ask for the ball back, Mr Lopez offered it. He did the right thing. Sure, sell the ball for $250,000 to some collector...big freaking deal. now the ball can stay in Derek's trophy case or it can go to Cooperstown...
I am surprised it is about the money for you Dianne
Yeah, I'm with you. I'll presume that he got some cash and a confidentiality agreement. How would we know he signed one if he was living up to the terms? After all, he's not a politician. Maybe, he can actually keep a secret. ;) And I'm glad that Jeter got his 3K. :)
Still, it makes a great story, doesn't it....I hope they gave him more than all the Perks...But, if they didn't...Well, for a FAN, the perks sound pretty damned good!
I have always been a Yankee fan from the time I was a little girl....I am not that involved with Baseball anymore--not that I ever really was, but it did my heart good to know that FINALLY, a Yankee got to that Magical number!
My niece has loved DJ forever. Had she caught that ball, she would have turned it over in a NY minute for no money but for one night to have Mr. Jeter alone in a hotel.
I kinda hope the guy got some money, too.
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