The man who returned the Freese ball
 

This is a great story I thought. The dude who got Freese's home run ball in the bottom of the 11th last night traded it back after the game. He got a signed bat, and got to meet Freese himself. A good act of humility.

[url=http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/The-story-of-the-Cardinals-fan-who-returned-Free?urn=mlb-wp25597#mwpphu-container]The story of the Cardinals fan who returned David Freese’s homer - Big League Stew - MLBBlog - Yahoo! Sports[/url]

[B]BUT[/B] - Was he being serious when he was asking for a team pic signed by [I]everyone[/I]?? (Watch the video in the article)...Is that too demanding in this case? I know a ball like that could fetch some serious $$....but is there a point where taking advantage of the situation you're place in goes too far? Just wondering what everyone's opinions were.

Also - the dude in the Cubs shirt seemed kinda like a d*ck haha

Oh well, let's just hope there's an amazing follow-up Game 7 tonight :D

Might have been a joke, but it's worth a shot at that point. Think of White Goodman from Dodgeball.

"there's no reason we need to be shackled by the strictures of the employee-employer relationship. Unless you're into that sort of thing. In which case, I got some shackles in the back. I'm just kidding. But seriously, I've got 'em."

It's a joke, but if you get it then you won't complain. :D

I liked the story of the man who caught Kirby Puckett's homerun ball in the '91 WS. Him and Puckett became friends afterwards, played golf together, and he was even invited when Puckett was inducted into the HOF.

Or the Yankee fan that caught Jeter's 3000th hit, and then proceeded to give it back to him. Stories like this define what a fan is, to me. Yes, both could have made a fair mint, the Jeter guy more than the Freese guy, but both felt it was more important that the milestone marker go back to the milestone maker...

Can't blame him for trying to get the best he could get. I'd have played hardball and asked for a couple of Pujols autographed bats and maybe even the jersey off his back, and walked if they didn't comply.

[QUOTE=tajikey;1804690]Or the Yankee fan that caught Jeter's 3000th hit, and then proceeded to give it back to him. Stories like this define what a fan is, to me. Yes, both could have made a fair mint, the Jeter guy more than the Freese guy, but both felt it was more important that the milestone marker go back to the milestone maker...[/QUOTE]

How does a player have a right to ownership simply by making contact with a ball? It's meaningful to them, not theirs. And define what a fan is? Not really. If I catch a ball and I need to pay back my loans it doesn't make me more or less of a fan by keeping it.

[QUOTE=Original Boski;1804788]Can't blame him for trying to get the best he could get. I'd have played hardball and asked for a couple of Pujols autographed bats and maybe even the jersey off his back, and walked if they didn't comply.[/QUOTE]

I would probably only trade in a player's first homerun ball. I'd keep anything of semi-extreme to extreme value.

Oh, and no one pointed this out:

""Maybe if I had been wanting for money, it'd be different," Huyette said. "But I make a good living. I wasn't going to hold the country hostage for the ball."

He doesn't want money. He makes a "good living."

I wouldn't give anything back to any player, especially the big stars. For that ball I would ask for a autographed game used bat from every player on the team. Come on people these guys make more money than Doctors at the league minimum.

Did he atleast get good tickets for tonights game?

[QUOTE=Original Boski;1804788]Can't blame him for trying to get the best he could get. I'd have played hardball and asked for a couple of Pujols autographed bats and maybe even the jersey off his back, and walked if they didn't comply.[/QUOTE]

Pujols had nothing to do with it? I would have traded it back just for the experience of catching a ball, and meeting the player, especially if I had something of special value to Freese.

Just because they make money, doesn't mean they aren't human. I would have wanted my ball back if I was Freese, and I'm glad the fan realized that and gave it back to him.

He actually got an auto bat by Freese, an auto'd ball from the whole team, and got to hang out and party with them in the clubhouse. I would definatly give it back. I also would tel my friend to turn his Cubs shirt inside out, or take it off.

I'd sell it to the highest bidder. End of story.

[QUOTE=jr24ai3;1805325]I'd sell it to the highest bidder. End of story.[/QUOTE]

-This all comes down to personal priorities.

If my personal priorities call for family first, i'm negotiating for best cash price or the best piece of memorabilia from a resale perspective.

If my personal priorities include the consideration of the players, then my first instinct revolves around providing the player with the ball and getting some benefit for the player's trouble of getting the ball.

Perspective is the key, as a lower-middle-class individual i wouldn't fault the fan at all for asking for a personal bat and then some lovin-lovin he can eBay to offset the salary concerns of being a typical American.

lobo_hacker

I owe David Freese nothing. If I caught that ball and thought I could get some serious cash for it, I would sell it in a minute. I make a decent living, as does my wife, so there are no money concerns, but believe me, $10K or more would do wonders for us.

If a guy making $500K a year to play baseball can't understand that, he doesn't deserve the ball.

But if I had no monetary concerns at all, I would gladly trade the ball to him for something.

I'd ask for the moon also if I had the oppotunity. Once in a lifetime opportunity there.

It was probrobly the biggest moment in the kids life.Who am I to hold it hostage from him?I would just give it to him.

[QUOTE=hofmichael;1805613]It was probrobly the biggest moment in the kids life.Who am I to hold it hostage from him?I would just give it to him.[/QUOTE]

You are the guy who paid for tickets and caught the ball. You would have no obligation to return the ball whatsoever.

[QUOTE=HadWayTooMuch;1805499]I owe David Freese nothing. If I caught that ball and thought I could get some serious cash for it, I would sell it in a minute. I make a decent living, as does my wife, so there are no money concerns, but believe me, $10K or more would do wonders for us.

If a guy making $500K a year to play baseball can't understand that, he doesn't deserve the ball.

But if I had no monetary concerns at all, I would gladly trade the ball to him for something.[/QUOTE]

Agree with this. Except that if I had no monetary concerns, I wouldn't be sitting in the outfield.

[QUOTE=jr24ai3;1805669]Agree with this. Except that if I had no monetary concerns, I wouldn't be sitting in the outfield.[/QUOTE]

Excellent point!

[QUOTE=a-train10;1805161] I would have traded it back just for the experience of catching a ball, and meeting the player, especially if I had something of special value to Freese. [/QUOTE]

You can do this at spring traininig or before a game. I got Freese's auto when he came to Baltimore. Nice guy. They don't allow bats in the stadium before a game, but I'm sure he would have signed that too if I had one with me.

I'm a huge O's fan, but if one of the players had a historical play and I had the ball, I'd make sure I got more than enough money for it to buy anything that they could possibly give me. Or if they didn't want to pay, I'd rather have that ball I caught then a bat I can get for $100.

Love the game as much as anyone I know and these types of things are nice gestures, but I have no problem if the fan keeps the ball or not. 500th homerun, 3,000 hit, or WS game winner. They are just as much the fans as they are the players. Do we forget baseball does not exist without the fans? Only problem I may have is asking for something in return. If Freese wanted it and wanted to reach out to the guy that is fine, but either keep it, or keep it and sell it. Dont give it back as a nice "gesture" and ask for something in return.

[QUOTE=xbignick;1804970]How does a player have a right to ownership simply by making contact with a ball? It's meaningful to them, not theirs. And define what a fan is? Not really. If I catch a ball and I need to pay back my loans it doesn't make me more or less of a fan by keeping it.[/QUOTE]

I said nothing about the player having any right to ownership; just that I feel the marker's rightful place is in the hands of its maker. We all define fan differently, that's why I said "to me."

Let's get something #@#@#@#@ing straight. No one with any monetary concerns has World Series tickets. End of discussion.

[QUOTE=jr24ai3;1805325]I'd sell it to the highest bidder. End of story.[/QUOTE]

Same here, but they probably had all sorts of pressure and veiled threats that led him to think differently.

[QUOTE=Tyler;1806894]Let's get something #@#@#@#@ing straight. No one with any monetary concerns has World Series tickets. End of discussion.[/QUOTE]

I'm not well off, but if the O's ever make the World Series I'd figure out a way to get there. Then once I've enjoyed the ride I'd figure out a way to pay for it. As i'm learning, it could be a once in a lifetime trip.

A great way to pay for the trip would be to catch a game winning homerun and sell the ball!

[QUOTE=Tyler;1806894]Let's get something #@#@#@#@ing straight. No one with any monetary concerns has World Series tickets. End of discussion.[/QUOTE]

I disagree 100%. I'm not talking about living in a cardboard box. I'm talking about having student loans, credit card bills, etc that an extra $10K or more would help greatly with.

I'm sure there are many people here who could afford a $300 or so ticket to a World Series game while still having a ton of bills.

its a tough decision and a perfect example of to each is his own

as the guy said "he makes a good living" so whatever the balls value is may have not made a big difference to him, he might not be in a case where he has student loans, credit card debt, etc, and if hes buying WS tickets he definitely has some expendable income.

so in his case he obviously would much rather have the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet freese and the team after a huge win and get some autos, then have $3-5k...if money wasn't a concern for me I would probably take that opportunity too

on another note how much value can we put on that ball? yeah it was an awsome high drama moment, but it wasnt like it was in game 7 to win it all....I'd say its worth about $5,000

what do you guys think?

I think he would have cracked a smile if he was joking, he didnt.

Nice story, but can somebody PLEASE photoshop the cubs fan out of the pic!!!

[QUOTE=jr24ai3;1805325]I'd sell it to the highest bidder. End of story.[/QUOTE]

^ = Winner.

I finally read the article. Okay, he spent $1100 on tickets to the game. I guess that is a sign that money may not be an issue.

Still, I don't think Freese deserves the ball. It's very nice that he got it, and I'm glad for him that he did get it, but he is a baseball player that is paid quite well to hit, run and catch. He does not deserve to keep everyone homerun ball he hits, every ball he makes a key play on, etc.

But again, nothing wrong with him getting it, but he makes enough money (as do the Cardinals) where there could be some financial benefits to someone for offering him the ball back.

Did Freese actually keep the ball tho? I thought it was going to the baseball hall of fame

Both those guys that got that ball seemed like dicks

[QUOTE=Tyler;1806894]Let's get something #@#@#@#@ing straight. No one with any monetary concerns has World Series tickets. End of discussion.[/QUOTE]

I think a simple "lets get something straight" would have sufficed.


Are you trying to say that not one of the 50,000+ fans in attendance could have used an extra $20,000?

I'd have asked to personally give it back to him, get a signed gamer bat, and a written guarantee from a front office person that if the Cards were to win the World Series that I'd be given a ring (same exact ring that the players get). If trading a piece of history, may as well get a 50-50 shot at getting one in return.

I'd of asked for an autographed Bat from the team, and at least a tshirt to cover up the Cubs shirt :) I would think the players themselves would gladly sign the bat to give freeze the baseball.

I'd then hope it goes to the Hall. I think that may of been one of the greatest world series games on record. Thankfully with the cards winning it, that game meant something. had the rangers won, the games value would of been lost in history.

[QUOTE=Cubs_rock21;1811890]I think a simple "lets get something straight" would have sufficed.


Are you trying to say that not one of the 50,000+ fans in attendance could have used an extra $20,000?[/QUOTE]

I say #@#@#@#@ a lot. I like to make sure the #@#@#@#@in profanity filter is working.

[QUOTE=baseballbunez;1812182]I'd have asked to personally give it back to him, get a signed gamer bat, and a written guarantee from a front office person that if the Cards were to win the World Series that I'd be given a ring (same exact ring that the players get). If trading a piece of history, may as well get a 50-50 shot at getting one in return.[/QUOTE]

Great idea, I think more like a front office person's ring, but yeah, great idea!

The player's rings usually cost $20k-$50k, you ain't getting that!

[QUOTE=dthimesch;1805534]I'd ask for the moon also if I had the oppotunity. Once in a lifetime opportunity there.[/QUOTE]

yessir!!!!

I have plenty of $ concerns and drove 4 hours away to go to game 2... Not everyone at a World Series game is raking in the cash! I spent $270 for my seat by the Rangers bullpen, so they aren't astronomically priced!

I'd give it back. But only after I had signed it. That way, if it goes to the Hall, so does my sig!

[QUOTE=XL5;1813340]I'd give it back. But only after I had signed it. That way, if it goes to the Hall, so does my sig![/QUOTE]

Now this is an interesting thought...