The Giants fan who caught Travis Ishikawa‘s home run that sent San Francisco to the World Series for the third time in five years decided to return the ball in exchange for an autographed bat and a chance to meet Ishikawa. The team also invited Frank Burke to Game Three of the World Series, the first that will be played in San Francisco. (CBS SF Bay Area)
“I’m the lucky guy that happened to be in the right place and catch the ball … so If anybody deserves to have that ball in the trophy case is the man who hit it and put us in the World Series for the third time in five years,” Burke told the Associated Press.
I have no idea whether Burke made a smart move or not because I couldn’t guess how much the baseball might have been worth if he had put it up for sale. If we’re talking about a $10,000-$15,000 item, I think Burke made a good choice to focus on making more priceless memories instead of figuring out how to spend the few grand he’d get after auction fees and taxes.
But if the baseball would be valued in the high five figure or low six figure range, Burke would have been smarter to sell.
For better or worse, I don’t think I’ll ever have to worry about making that kind of decision about a home run ball.
PaulHadsall.com 
I’ve thought about it a lot, actually…mostly around the fan who caught Jeter’s 3,000 hit HR ball. I think I’d do something that could make the player look good, while still benefiting me. For example, give the ball back in exchange for player X taking care of the remainder of my student loan, or having that player set up a college fund for my kids.
I think it would make me feel a little less dirty than selling it, maybe make the player look like a good dude, and I’d still benefit as if I sold it.
Or maybe the player would tell me to go to hell. I don’t know. But like you, I don’t anticipate ever being in that situation!
LikeLike
I still scratch my head at the fan who caught Jeter’s 3,000th hit home run, but I guess it’s fine as long as he’s happy with his choice.
LikeLike