The time has come to move along
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- August
- 7
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It took 72 hours for the saga of Walter “Sonny” Kowalczyk to become insufferably tedious.
He’s the guy who caught A-Rod’s 500th home run ball and has turned into a celebrity. The tabloids are chasing him like he has the secret of life in his back pocket.
In the latest twist, Sonny wants to get the advice of WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog on the air. Unquestionably, he’ll be on. I’m sure he’ll be on television before too long and hold a press conference, too. Is this that important?
The Daily News tracked down his brother. Get this:
Brian Kowalczyk said his brother has had his share of tough breaks, like when he got fired as a probationary Mercer County, N.J., sheriff’s officer for falling asleep in a courtroom.
That’s a “tough break?”
The News also reports that he is “terrified to walk the streets.” The Post said he was in Manhattan treating his family to dinner. Maybe he was terrified on his way to dinner.
Sonny, if you’re out there, ask A-Rod for $50,000 and the Yankees for a signed Joba Chamberlain jersey. Then go about your life and try to stay awake. But get out of the news, my man. No good will come of it.
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on Tuesday, August 7th, 2007 at 11:18 am by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
You have no right to the ball. Quit being a prick buddy and give it to it’s rightful owner, A-Rod.
The right move would be to return the ball to A-Rod. Otherwise, enjoy your 15 minutes and move on.
The dudes a Communist according to his MySpace page. Shouldn’t full blown Liberals like him share the ball with their rightful owner?? Shouldn’t he be doing the right thing??? Why does he need monetary incentive?? Karl Marx is rolling over in his little tomb.
The guy and his family are stooges. They only serve to make themselves look more ignorant and greedy by prolonging this thing. I hope Francesa and Russo don’t let him on the air. He’s a guy who caught a HR ball who is looking to cash in. Cash in already.
It’s not like he’s going to get his own talk show out of this or get on Surreal Life.
I’m with Pete–Tell Arod you’ll take 50 grand for the ball and you’d like a signed Jersey and bat from him and go your merry way.
Falling asleep on the job.
That’s funny.
The second the ball leaves play and a fan catches it, the fan owns it. Thats why when bats fly into the stands the players ask for their game bat back in exchange for another bat, because the fan doesn’t have to give it back. Also the reason why Field Goal posts have nets behind them.
The ball is his, like Pete said have ARod give him a fair amount, get a couple of nice memorabilia and move on.
What is the big deal, Arod will go on to hit at least 300 more homers. This is absurd, let ARod give you his chump change and give him the ball.
This morning on FAN, I thought they were kidding about him going on M&MD. Dog absolutely killed this guy yesterday and Mike has been bashing the memorabilia industry the last time he was on air. Why would he want to go on and get killed by both of them?
As a Rutgers graduate, this guys is an embarrassment. Regardless of the hard times he may have fallen on, the longer he draws this out the worse he will look. Going on WFAN to speak with Mike and the Mad Dog for their advice is a joke. This is clearly a PR move.
Sell the bay, get some memorabilia and move on. You did nothing special to get this ball. You just happened to sit in a lucky seat.
Why wouldn’t Russo let him on the air????
He lives for this kind of controversy
it will kill 2 hours of show time
The dude makes 20 grand a yr and he has Yankee season tickets????
I am missing something here.
Peter, you’re doing a great job limit this guy’s celebrity by recalling his entire story in your column. If you want him to go away, why don’t you try NOT writing about him?
It’s America.
he should hold out and sell the ball at auction.
Maybe he gets 200 grand for it. Who knows? Why shouldn’t he hold out for the best deal?
It’s his ball.
That person should just give the ball back. He may or may not get compensation for it, but he’ll be famous, if not already.
The guys My Space page was beyond hilarious.
The contradictions right now are more than I can handle.
Chris Upper East,
From what I heard on 1050am this morning, after he lost his job, he spent his life savings on season tickets (maybe an indication of where his head’s at??).
“That person should just give the ball back. He may or may not get compensation for it, but he’ll be famous, if not already.”
Why would he want to be famous???
Wouldn’t he rather be rich???
Who remembers who caught Bonds 500th homer???
If that’s true Jabba Jr.
It was a really good move for him to do.
Because he got this ball and he could make 6 figures off it.
Like playing the lottery.
He should have made a deal with the Yankees for lifetime season tickets, including playoff games.
I tend to believe in Karma and if he doesn’t just give the ball back to ARod for nothing, just to give it to him, he’s going to fall on a lot more “hard times” in the future.
If it is worth so much, why should this person give it away for autographs?
That doesn’t make much sense.
Also doesn’t make much sense to go on the radio and defend why you are doing it.
Lay low. The santimonious Mad Dog is going to tear him up and put on callers who will bash him for looking out for #1.
It’s his ball and if A-Rod wants it back he can afford to pay him a nice chunk of change – I hope he’ll do that so we can stop hearing about it. It’s getting very old now!
At this point, he really just looks bad. As was mentioned, his actions here completely contradict his political views on his MySpace page. And also, I think people are tired of seeing Walter’s (Sonny’s) name (and do we need the parentheses with his nickname next to it every time his name is displayed? Either call him Walter or Sonny, end of discussion).
If I had caught the ball, all I’d want is a picture of my son with some members of the Yankees, autographed, and I’d accept whatever else they wanted to give me. Why do we need to look to make a monetary gain just because the situation presents itself? Besides, no amount of money could buy that experience for my son, and for that matter, myself.
He should hire Boras to represent him. Then we’ll see how much he’d get.
i wonder if he’ll ask for everybodys signed jersey on the team
Im all for trying to get the best deal possible but I think he should try to get that deal from ARod not a third party.Mike and Mad Dog will kill him assuming they even let him on the air which Id say is even money.This guy is a slacker and his brother isnt doing him any favors either.
personally, i think he should give it back. he gets a cool memory, some cool stuff, and probably some money.
otherwise, sell it on ebay and make sure to give arod the link. he gets probably more money, but everyone will always remember him as a richard.
the guy is an idiot, however he should try to get as much as possible. these chances only come around once in a lifetime.
If you want to sell it, fine. But politely decline and quietly bring it off to auction. All this attention makes him look terrible.
He should give it back when A-Rod signs an extension with the Yankees.
Destroy it, like they did with the Bartman ball. What’s the equivalent of the servant who ate a 40,000 guilder tulip bulb in the 17th century Dutch tulip mania..mix it in some Little League balls. Demand the evil Torre be fired so he doesn’t shred Jabba the Hut’s arm! Tell A Rod he can have it if he gets to star in Paris Hilton’s next X rated video. Trade it for a job as 7th inning set up guy. Get to ride with Carl Pavano.
No matter what the guy does he’s going to get ripped apart for it…there are those who are going say “The guy won the lottery, cash in on it” and there are those who will say “Give the ball to Arod”….what he NEEDS to do, as Pete said, is make a decision ASAP. The sooner he decides, the sooner this will all blow over and he can go back to living his life.
If it were me, I’d give the ball back to Arod and ask for lifetime season tickets (including post season) and a few minutes in the clubhouse or in the dugout with Don Mattingly.
any chance the yanks are working on waiver deals for giambi and farnsworth?? probably don’t want to lose cairo with jeter hurting and games on turf. karstens is a nice fit, long, needed, and he’s just back, and has guts. does bruney have options? thought he was a rule 5 type. can’t help but remember david weathers in 96? 95? unhittable when he’s right. vallone is totally hitable, left or right, seemingly a comfortable at-bat. maybe henn by aug 31? he’s a lefty who can get a strikeout against a lefty…
Man, $50,000 is steep.
Ask for season tickets, and, more importantly, a dream game. Full tour of the stadium, trip to the clubhouse, meet all the players, get autographs, the full deal.
That’d be the classy thing to do. Milking this for money and fame is cheap. Hopefully The Fan tells this guy to shove off.
This is the the guy that people thought deserved a down payment on a house or his full tuition paid for by Arod? Or $300,000 worth of season tickets for the rest of his life?
Sheesh. A tool like that that wouldn’t appreciate any of that if he got it, anyway.
“He should hire Boras to represent him. Then we’ll see how much he’d get.”
Wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest?
“You have no right to the ball. Quit being a prick buddy and give it to it’s rightful owner, A-Rod.”
i would like to see A-Rod get the ball as well, but how does the guy have “no right” to the ball? that’s just not true.
he does own it. A-Rod does not.
would A-Rod “own” a foul ball that someone catches?
there is absolutely nothing different about this situation.
I gotta be honest, I don’t think this guy is wrong to want something in return for the ball. Whether that is money, a signed jersey, a few tickets to the game, whatever it may be.
Fact is, yes it is a piece of history and A-Rod deserves the ball, but on the flip side, this guy paid good money to attend the game, was lucky enough to catch the ball, and should willingly give it up for something in return.
On a related subject, this jacka$$ deserves to be fired for falling asleep in court. Tough break my a$$. Do your job!
I would ask for season tickets for 2008 (the last year in the old stadium) and 2009 (the first year in the new one), plus post-season tickets for life.
He should keep himself out of the media and make a fair deal w/ ARod and move on. He’s not a bright guy if you lose your job and then buy season tickets.
Pete,
If you’re so down on “the tabloids,” how come you tried so hard to get a job at one of them this offseason?
The best thing for Arod to do is ignore him. Let him continue to make himself look like a fool. If he wants to sell the ball at auction, so be it.
To have some unemployed idiot go on the airwaves looking to shakedown somebody for money because he got a baseball in the stands is idiotic.
Let him “consult” with his heroes Mike and Chris. That would be like the blind leading the blind.
Have Steiner buy it from him, then he will give it to Arod and this kid drifts back to the unemployment line.
He isn’t a “celebrity” because he got a baseball in the stands, no matter how badly he and his brother wish it to be the case.
this is a tough thing to think about without being in the guy’s shoes. being a jerk in the eyes of the media vs cashing in as much as possible.
putting it on ebay is fair i guess. but you then give up on things that only a-rod or the yankees could give you (other memorabelia, tickets. etc…)
i’m sure there’s a price even a-rod would say “the hell with the ball, keep it then” to. the guy will have a 600th and 700th ball to look forward to and probably the tie and record HR balls.
that said, i still don’t have any idea what i would do. i’d probably come on Pete’s blog and ask advice.
He doesn’t own it, but he is the sole reason for why its so ‘valuable’. Because the ball represents his achievement, and his alone. Walter Whatisname just got lucky.
I decided that if I had caught the ball I would have asked the PR Rep for non-transferable perpetual season tickets until my death, and a signed game worn uniform and bat from A-rod and some players of my choice(at this point it’d be Hughes, Matsui, Rivera, Clemens, and Cano and Melky’s high five gloves).
Obviously they wouldnt go for the ticket thing. The uniforms and memorabilia would be a good investment and would make a better wall decoration of a sports basement than some ball in a glass shelf.
This is absurd. Understandably, it is the fans ball when it enters the stands. But as a fan, and season ticket holder to his beloved Yanks, this guy should just give it up. A-Rod has the balls from all the other “monumental” homeruns in his career, let a guy who deserves it (ie. not barry bonds) cherish a piece of his own personal history. As for full tuition paid to college or something, a signed team ball at the very least, but give this guy his ball.
if arod can go to the highest bidder, why cant the ball? sonny should hire boras
If he is trying to keep himself in the spotlight he may not be doing the smartest of things. What will happen when the 756 ball comes along? Then another random bum will be going on radio shows and Kowactcyvt will lose most or all of the hype very quickly. Im guessing A-rod and the Yankees will be willing to offer just as much for the ball, but if random third parties who could have made a bid for the 500 decide that 756 is 256 times better then he could end up with less.
Being a game used bat collector, I would ask for one of Arod’s bats. Maybe a chance to meet the team quick in the clubhouse. Then it is time to get on in life.
I guess I am of the school that this guy didn’t “achieve” anything.
If I had caught that ball and they gave me an autographed jersey, a few other signed items and a photo with Arod and the ball, I’d be happy.
I don’t know, to hold out for money, significant money (which 50+k is, regardless of how much Arod makes) just seems wrong to me.
Add to it all this, “I am in fear of my life, I need to talk to Mike and the Mad Dog” garbage, and it makes the entire thing repulsive.
Just my opinion though. I am sure others see it differently.
50,000, and two years worth of season tickest behind home plate is what I would ask for as well as a my Jeter, and A-Rod rookie cards to be signed.
MARK FEINSAND from NY Daily News says Joba will replace Karstens in the bullpen before tonight’s game.
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....hut-1.html
Wow man yankees r on fire. Only 6 games behind in the AL East and we already wraped up the Wild Card. Bluejays offense is a mess and they can’t even hit Farnsworth. 2 series sweeps in a row for the yankees. The Yanks offense is the the best ever no other team in the league is even close to the Yanks offense. Can it get any better than facing Josh Towers. I say the yanks will score atleast 12 runs today and drive out the Towers after only 1-2 innings. And Wang is pitching tommorrow. So it is a sure win for the yanks. SWEEP SWEEP SWEEP.
The Bronx’ Answer To Papelbon
Check It Out!
http://www.jabachamberlain.com
I agree with SJ, so I guess that makes me “old school” too.
He didn’t achieve anything. Because of luck – he’s piggybacking on the achievement of someone else.
If that was me, I’d be happy with a few autographed things and a picture with him. That ball is the result of years of hard work, I’d think it would mean much more to Arod than me.
Id ask for Season Tickets for life, A signed bat by the entire team, meet AROD in person, and call it a day. This dude needs to let it go already.
I guess we should be thanking Mark McGwire for helping Shelley with his approach at the plate.
The second step was last October, when Duncan went to California to spend a week with a friend from his childhood — one of the best home run hitters of all time, McGwire. Duncan went west thinking he would be spending hours in the batting cages. Instead, he barely picked up a bat.
“It was 100 percent mental,” Duncan said of McGwire’s tutelage. “How to use your mind, how to slow things down, how to narrow your focus. That was the first time I saw that side of it. And I felt like I had missed out on so much.”
With McGwire’s lessons percolating in his head, Duncan went to Puerto Rico for three weeks of winter ball, and began to work the bad habits out of his swing. The transformation wasn’t complete, however, until spring training, when Duncan started working with Triple-A hitting coach Butch Wynegar, whom Duncan calls “a lifesaver.”
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledge.....thispage=3
If I had the ball I would give it to ARod and say, “It’s yours for free if you stay with the Yanks. If you sign elsewhere it will cost you $200k.”
you people are funny . do you actualy think ardo gives a crap about any of the fans . he makes millions of dollars . i would hold the ball ransom . get as much hard cash for the ball as i could . f#ck arod . he’s gone after this season anyway .
i love it when fans pretend pro ball players arent greedy , money hungry and self-centered .
That’s a nice story. I really hope Duncan survives the roster move when Giambi is activated.
He brings something to the table that’s missing…..RH pop off the bench.
Used smartly, and Joe has done a nice job of that so far, he can be an asset down the stretch.
Just another solution of a problem by staying within the organization. Gotta like it.
Ha. That’s a good price Blake. My price would be lifetime season tickets for my fam.
What a douche.
only 50k? yeah right. If he’s smart he’d keep the ball until Arod hits 600 or 700, even breaks Bonds record. If he waits until then he’ll get the most bang for the ball. My turds are worth more than a joba jersey.
Briggs, you must eat gold for breakfast. haha
How much would lifetime season tickets for a family cost approximately?
“i love it when fans pretend pro ball players arent greedy , money hungry and self-centered .”
So the way to show them exactly how mercenary they are, is to be greedy, money-hungry and self-centered in return?
Mmm’kay. Pot and kettle.
Good question Angel. Who knows, but that would be NICE. For some reason, it brings to mind the story about the lady in Green Bay that got in some trouble with the law a couple years ago. forgot what she did but i think it was enough to warrant some jail time. Instead, the judge ordered her to give up her family’s Packers season tickets. Apparently theres a lifetime waiting list for those. Something like if you put your name down on the list, then maybe your grandchildren will be able to get tickets when they’re adults. Crazy huh?
I just noticed guiseppe franco posts here.. thats HILLARRRRRRIOUS lolol, worst commercial on television right now.
anyway, i could care less about this guy.. he would not be the first to want to sell a ball and make a profit, it happens all the damn time. Its the medias fault for turning this into what it is.
ESPN reporting Joba up, Bruney down. Good move on Bruney. Can get out of trouble, but gets himself into trouble by thinking too much. Hope he can work on his control b/c when Brian’s good, he’s good.
Here it is. I don’t about you, but my wife would take this deal in a second. Haha
Packers’ fan avoids jail by giving up tickets
Associated Press
Posted: 2 hours ago
OSHKOSH, Wis. – A woman given the choice between giving up her family’s Green Bay Packers’ tickets or going to jail has chosen to turn her back on football.
A judge ordered Sharon E. Rosenthal of Appleton to decide whether to spend 90 days in jail or donate her four seats in the Packers’ three-game season package next season to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Rosenthal, 59, took more than $3,000 from labor union accounts before she left the organization, according to a criminal complaint. She was sentenced Friday in Winnebago County Circuit Court on one felony count of theft.
“She is going to give up the Packer tickets,” defense attorney Kevin Musolf said Wednesday. “They don’t have them yet, but when they get them, arrangements will be made.”
The donation is part of Rosenthal’s two-year probation period.
I’m not sure either, Khoa – that’s why I asked. I’m genuinely curious. I’ve never been lucky enough to be able to get season tickets either, lol. Someone either on this blog or another estimated that lifetime season tickets for one person(given he’s in his 20s) could be around $300k – but I have no idea how realistic or accurate that is.
I dont think there’s anything wrong with him asking for something signed or a momento of catching it in return or even getting season tickets – but the way he’s going about it, its become anything but a “feel good” story.
Oh yeah, that is absolutely true about Packers season tickets – you might be lucky if your unborn grandchildren (when they’re adults!)get the one’s that you put your name down for! I saw an article about it on ESPN or something. I live in MN and there are surprisingly a LOT of GB fans here. I’d say that was a fairly good punishment by that judge, that punishment really would have hit them where it hits.
Oh she had to donate them to the Make-A-Wish Foundation? What an awesome judge in that case. That also means some good for some deserving kids will come out of it.
Haha, i’m not much of a football fan – so i’d probably do it too. My husband is a Giants fan anyway.
Why is it ok for A-Rod to try and get every penny when it comes to his contract and not for this ball. A couple of jerseys, that’s a joke. Maybe Tom Hicks will shell out some dough for the ball, he’s a sucker!
Just sell it on auction. If A-Rod wanted the ball, he should have hit it in KC where he would get his ball back, like #499.
Just sell it on auction. If A-Rod wanted the ball, he should have hit it in KC where he would get his ball back, like #499. Or he could just win the auction…
A-rod should give up something substantial for that ball, but the way the student went about it was all wrong.
A-rod was giddy in pinstripes on Saturday, but sobered up enough to say that the [euphoria] of hitting #500 in ’stripes had nothing to do with his decision to stay. Basically it was neither here nor there. Business as usual.
that’s right mel, it’s all business.
Ouch! I guess that was a harsh punishment up there in GB. And if lifetime Yankee season tix are $300k for just one person, I guess that asking price is too high.
People who say, “Just hand it over…” would be singing a different tune if they were lucky enough to be in the right spot to catch #500.
If he’s smart he’d keep the ball until Arod hits 600 or 700, even breaks Bonds record. If he waits until then he’ll get the most bang for the ball. My turds are worth more than a joba jersey.
Baseball auctions are at an alltime low right now
“If he’s smart he’d keep the ball until Arod hits 600 or 700, even breaks Bonds record.”
but wouldn’t the 600th or 700th be more in demand at that point and be worth more than the 500th?
It’s true. Anyone who caught the ball would try and get as much for it as possible. People are driven by greed.
yes, but the 500 ball will be worth more then.
I wouldn’t, Mel. I wasn’t raised to think like that though.
Would I want some things autographed in exchange? Yes.
Would I be acting like Arod was my own personal money tree? No.
I’d take as much money as I could for the ball.
Who wouldn’t?
Anyone that says different is a liar.
Anybody remember a star fullback from Michigan State in the late ’50s named Walt Kowalczyk ? Any relation?
Arod makes roughly $46,000 per AB $27,700,000 annually divided by season total of 600 AB. Wow you think that AB was worth more than his salary normally compensates for! Arod should step up and offer him around 2 ABs $100,000.
okay angel. you’re an elitest, we get it. there’s nothing wrong with auctioning off the ball.
I’m not saying that A-rod should be a money tree, and you are noble to give it in exchange for an autograph. What I’m saying is that we’re talking about a man who has a Picasso hanging on his wall. He should make a nice offer.
I dont know if somebody already noted it, but the yankees are in control of their destiny. We are 6 games behind the sox and we play them 6 times.
Who really cares about the ball?
If the guy wants to sell it to the highest bidder, more power to him.
I’m sure A-Rod won’t lose any sleep over it.
ARod should offer him 100 + x percent of what he gets on ebay. 10
People like Angel are full of crap.
They’d take the highest offer and the most money they could if they had the ball.
When the shoe is on the other foot the other person should “do the right thing”.
He’s probably one of those raise taxes but not for me guy.
Pete, putting money aside, what do you think a polite, normal person could get from ARod in exchange for the ball? A meet-and-greet with photos and autographs? Tickets?
Whoever said anything about being elitest, briggs? I just don’t get people judging everyone by their standards(although I think I just got called a liar by someone, lol)
I have as much right to express my opinion as anyone.
Josh Towers vs. Cleveland on July 8:
IP H R ER HR BB K
8.0 3 0 0 0 0 4
How about a handshake Jeremy and a hug??
Putting money aside??
Why should this student and poor guy put money aside when the value of the ball is into the six figures???
Honestly I would give the ball back……….like someone said it has a special meaning to A-Rod and represents HIS accomplishments not mine. I would ask for something in return but not $50K or more. I would be happy to met the players, get an autographed shirt, ball, cap etc something and maybe box seats to a game (not the whole season). That would be my MasterCard commercial (priceless to me).
To me getting the most pay out of your job (where you work your a$$ off) is completely different than taking advantage of someone because you have something that means a lot to them. That kid has no idea what HARD work mean or he wouldn’t have gotten fired for sleeping on the job or foolish enough to spend his ‘life savings’ on season tickets (why not just buy tickets to a couple of games and invest the rest)….but hey that’s just me.
This needing to go on a Mike and Mike or any other show to make his decision is crazy!!
Thanks, Kelly. You sure put me in my place.
It goes to show you that there is nothing sport fans won’t debate.
No columnist or radio show should ever complain about a lack of stories.
Mr. Walter “Sonnyâ€? Kowalczyk’s 15 minutes of fame are 14 minutes too long. My advice to WK is to hire a lawyer to represent his interests and then sit down with Mr. Rodriguez’s lawyer. Both sides will quickly decide what is the fair market value of the ball and the quicker they decide the less Mr. Kowalczyk will have to pay his attorney.
Trade the ball for a night with Cynthia and the blonde chick from Toronto
“Josh Towers vs. Cleveland on July 8:
IP H R ER HR BB K
8.0 3 0 0 0 0 4″
Josh Towers vs. Yanks on July 16th:
5.1 9 6 6 3 1 2
It wasn’t hard Angel. You’re eltist rants are way too easy of a mark.
‘I have as much right to express my opinion as anyone.’
Unless you are a Red Sox fan
Season tickets cost from $810 to over $10,000 per ticket. This does not include postseason, when the cost goes way, way up. I bought two tickets from one game of each postseason series last year and they cost me nearly $1,000. The seats were NOT great seats, either. That’s six tickets for $1,000, and I didn’t go to ANY of the games (my ALDS tickets were for game 5).
So…say two season tickets at $5,000 for 50 years = $500,000. Then say they throw in two tickets to one of each postseason game and the seats aren’t great (like mine), that’s another $50,000 (if they make the playoffs each of those years). Something tells me the Yanks aren’t going to cough up those tix, not taking into consideration inflation and the fact that ticket prices will go up once the season ends.
You want to go the season ticket route, I’d say ask for season tickets for 08 (last year at old stadium), season tickets for 09 (first year at new stadium), postseason tickets for those two years, AND tickets to the All Star Game.
Or, even just go with All Star Game tickets – request 8 of em behind home plate and then sell four or six of them. Do you know how much money you could make off those babies??
Fan27. Another guy who wouldn’t take 150 grand if offered.
YEAH RIGHT!
Who turns down a six figure payday for something that is valued that much???
For what?? Because he should?
I’m feeling tiny bit of jealousy from a lot of fans.
Would it be elitist to point out that you’re is not the same as your or would that be eltist?
Just wondering
I’m supposed to feel sorry for the poor guy that he got a tough break – for losing his job for falling asleep on it? Why exactly?
Look on the bright side Angel. You got Red Sox Trolls like YansSox taking your side.
Towers blows, we all know this. He’s capable of a good start every now and than but often tanks and doesn’t give his team a chance to win. After this start he’ll be released when Burnett is ready to pitch next series.
Too bad the Jays sent Litsch and Towers to the mound, Mcgowan and Marcum are ten times better. Throw burnett into the mix and the Jays have top notch pitching.
Mcgowan vs the yankees: 14IP 4ER, 2 starts and 2 runs each game.
Kelly, I didn’t say that he shouldn’t take money.
This guy should just put the ball up for auction.
Who can begrudge a guy that?
If A-Rod wants it he can bid on it.
Someone is touting Josh Towers???
The guy they tried to trade for a bag of balls 2 weeks ago?
That’s rich.
Bronx, I don’t think that is elitist, I get annoyed by typos and mistakes like that myself. But, I find I am guilty of them too – I just noticed one in my previous post.
Thanks for the info, Kat. I was kind curious what season’s tickets for life would be worth.
Jealous of what?? Granted, it would be much easier to be happy for him if he wasn’t acting like this over it. But this is all hypothetical. No one here has actually said they are Walt Watzisname and actually caught the ball.
I don’t think there is a guy here who would give the ball back without seeing how much it was worth first.
That would be stupid.
Wow *zing* I’m crushed again by Kelly.
The way some yankee fans act on here, having a red sox fan “on my side” might actually preferable.
Angel you suck at life, go away.
If Eric Byrnes is worth 30 million over 3 years than we are all worth at least 200k a year.
Whoa… if this is the same Angel from the Mark it down blog last year, these harsh words are not warrented. Calm down! Angel didn’t catch the ball and neither did any of us, so we are just speculating what we’d do…. relax!!
On a related note, I’d like to amend my previous statement. I’d request as many tickets to the All-Star game I could possibly get (starting HIGH and then negotiating down to a number we can both agree on), a signed picture of me and Arod, and also a bat signed by each of the Yankees!!
I’ll spell check for “U” next time.
Okay. Because Briggs said so and therefore I clearly must “suck at life”, I’ll go away.
Its funny though, the only person who would be qualified to tell me I “suck at life” I should go away because of it, would be someone who is an expert in how to best “suck at life”.
I don’t know what this place did to deserve the two who can’t handle it on Marks blog and got run off. Angel and Kasey. I feel bad for all of us.
If it is the same Angel get prepared for nonsense and personal insults and attacks.
Fun stuff!
It is Kat.
Catch you later.
*warranted
Angel, go away. You’re a loser on every blog you try to ruin. You are poison.
Angel and kasey are two of the main reasons many stopped posting at Mark’s blog.
I wish he’d just give the ball to A-Rod. That’s the human thing to do.
I also believe in the Tooth Fairy and Santa.
Brooklyn Doug: I NEVER said I would turn down $100K if it was offered to me, however I don’t see myself holding a baseball ‘hostage’ for $100K either. If A-Rod came up to me and said I will give you $100K for the baseball I would make the deal in a heartbeat. But I would also make the deal in a heartbeat if all that was offered was a change to meet the team and get a couple autographed items as well.
Fun stuff? Like your outright lie yesterday about Kasey being chased off of Mark’s blog, BB?
All these people who know me, I wouldn’t have a clue who any of you are.
Bizarre.
Hmmmmm lets see. 100 grand or a few autographs?
hmmmmmmm
Yeah, tough call.
Angel you’re a disgrace. You and kasey were run off of Marks blog for being childish jerks. Who only attacked other posters. Like, wait a minute, exactly what you’re doing here. Congrats! You never disappoint.
Angel does give good headache.
Bruney has a million dollar arm and a two cent head.
If he can ever learn how to settle down and pitch instead of throw he could be a top closer.
Bruney is young and talented. You don’t give up on arms like that. When he does figure it out you want him on your side.
You don’t want to be the next team that gives up on a Bobby Jenks.
dont give up on me either
“If I had the ball I would give it to ARod and say, ‘It’s yours for free if you stay with the Yanks. If you sign elsewhere it will cost you $200k.’.�
Amen.
This is the sort of thing where being a mercenary will hurt you. I’ll bet you if Jeter’s 3,000th hit is a HR, the fan who catches it will be more likely to do the right thing.
Interestingly, just 2 weeks ago, Mickey Mantle’s 500th home run ball was acutioned off. It went for $120,000 — plue the auction house adds 20% commission, meaning the buyer paid nearly $150,000. Here’s the link: http://www.mastronet.com/index.....%20Results
angel and kasey haven’t come on here attacking people. they tend to have different opinions, which lead to people attacking them. it happened on the mark it down blog and it’s happening here. it’s what happens when certain blogs get popular, it loads up with people who can’t have a conversation about baseball. they’re always right, and if torre, cash, or another blogger don’t say or think the same thing as them, they must be stupid, an idiot, should be fired, shouldn’t come back to the blog, etc. etc. angel, don’t feel to bad. there’s only a few posters here i read, sj, cb, e-roc, the optimistic club (though they haven’t been around much), you and a few others. granted, i’m probably going to get bashed for this, but who cares, really.
Me? Put it up for auction ASAP… I have a son to put through college.
Throw it on ebay and whatever happens happens
If I had the ball, I’d tell A-Rod that I don’t want to negotiate until the offseason.
and mike, don’t auctions usually work where the house usually takes 20% from the winning bid? if that’s the case then the seller got 96k (120k-20%), with the bidder paying the 120k.
Will — The house in this case takes 15% from the seller AND 20% from the buyer (a nice profit)! I’m not comparing A-Rod with Mantle, simply 500 home run ball vs. 500 home run ball. Someone paid about $150,000 for a 500 home run ball.
The owner of the ball could have the value of the ball assessed by an expert. The two parties could agree to a reasonable price and move on.
That being said, all evidence points towards this particular owner not being very, um, astute. Dragging it on, hiding out for fear of burglary (that ball should’ve gone straight to a safe deposit box), going on sports radio talk shows, falling asleep at work, etc.
that’s pretty absurd for the house to be taking that much (the house made 42,000 on that transaction!!).
the flip side of that coin, is someone accepted 102,000 for that ball.
Hmmmmm lets see. 100 grand or a few autographs?
hmmmmmmm
Yeah, tough call.
MEANING if the Yankees or A-Rod came up to me and said he would like the ball back in exchanging for a team meeting and some autographed items I would take it. I wouldn’t wait let me call my lawyers and go ask Mike and Mike first! I would like extra cash but I can do that on my own. How many chances would I get to meet the Yankees team? or Get autographed items from them?
If anything, A-Rod should show some class and sign the ball for the guy and then tell him to sell it to the highest bidder, like Maris did in ‘61.
Does he really need another stupid ball sitting on his diamond-encrusted mantle?
Yeah, Will, you’re right. Someone paid $144,000 for the ball, another person accepted $102,000. In the end, all I’ve learned is that it’s great to be the house! Then again, casino owners already know this.
Being a graduate student maybe he could he could write the prologue to Jose Canseco’s next book.
Nice article on the heralded arrival of the Big Two…
Loved the last quote from Cashman.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=2964264
Mike, that’s probably the most valid point anyone’s made all day.
Did a bit of reading (man, I’m procrastinating from work) — Mantle’s 500th home run ball was given to him by the 18 year old fan who caught it in exchange for another autographed baseball. Mantle gave the 500th home run ball to his business partner, Harold Youngman. Youngman donated it to the Baxter Springs Little League Museum (that’s in Kansas). I lost the trail there.
Look, A Rod wants the ball and even though there are some lunatics out there willing to pay $150k for it, that doesn’t mean A Rod wants to pay that much. As far as anyone knows has A Rod ever bought a piece of memorbilia that expensive? I doubt it, you know the NY Post would cover it like a presidential election. So my point is that A Rod should offer something reasonable, maybe a free years salary for the guy, $30k after taxes, but just because the market may bear it doesn’t mean A Rod should pay retail nutcase value.
Considering I was in the scrum for the ball, I don’t really know what I would have done. But I know I would not go on Mike and the Mad Dog, I’m loyal to Michael Kay when my 15 minutes of fame come around
Jeff,
You were in the scrum? Wow! Details…
Your idea about one year’s salary is funny. Then the guy could do the tv/radio circuit. Larry King, Oprah, Today Show, Jerry Springer, Michael Kay.
But Jeff — Arod is likely to put himself on the auction block, and only take the highest bid — and some team is going to pay “retail nutcase value”. I promise to eat my shorts and — why not? — yours if he suddenly says, Yoy know what, $15 mill is “reasonable” for me, I’ll play for that!
Gut feeling aside, this guy has every right to sell his ball to the highest bidder. It is his ball by any definition.
Whether AROD hit it or not, he is not entitled to it. If he wants it, he can stand on line and make an offer.
I’m not sure why such pervasive opinions about morality are rampant here. The guy owns something valuable and many are clamoring he simply give it to a multimillionaire? That is simply ludicrous.
Would peoples minds change about the issue if the guy had a sick child in need of expensive medical care? What if he was planning on taking the proceeds to feed poor children in this country?
The guy may have many shortcomings, but giving a valuable relic to a multimillionaire isn’t implied or expected. Nor is it the ‘right’ thing to do. Don’t project your morality on anyone else.
Personally, I would probably keep the relic myself forever, enduring public outrage for a time. In the end it would taper, and the price of the ball would likely skyrocket. I would hold on to it nonetheless as I have no pressing financial needs thankfully, and value this kind of stuff more than money. Thats how warped I am.
Think of the story that could be told to later generations of Big Johnsons, showing youngsters the 500th dinger of the soon to be homerun king, resisting public outrage and pressure from AROD himself.
BJ
Mike, fair point, guess that’s why it’s still being discussed.
Mel, yup I was there. I kept predicting on this blog I would get it knowing I was going to that Saturday game sitting in the main level in fair territory. Ok here is the story. The anticipation of A Rod batting started as soon as Jeter got on, suddenly it was if Abreu stays out of the double play A Rod will be up this inning! The heart rate was definitely going up.
Then Abreu got on and we all started cheering and standing. Luckily A Rod took out the suspense hitting the first pitch.
I knew it was gone, question was where would it land. It is really hard to judge where it would land, not that there is enough time to run to the right spot anyway. The ball was hit very high so from my vantage point it disappeared behind the upper deck for a split second and it seemed to be an upper decker but it looked like it must have just missed it because it did bound off, it was still in it’s arc.
From what I could tell it landed in the walkway between the front and back section about 10 rows in front of me and I’d guess about 5 feet over to the left. I was sitting on the aisle, so I ran down into the walkway where it was like a mosh pit, everyone pushing and shoving. I kept my eye on the ground knowing that would be the best place to find it. Of course in the midst of the scrum were 3 or 4 security guards and as I tried to push forward to get it, a really strong arm grabbed my shoulder and pulled it back. I turned and glared at him, but then I saw it was security so I let him through. At that point the scrum ended and I went back to my seat.
I still don’t know if Sonny caught it on a fly or if it bounced but it was crazy fun being there. I didn’t sit for another 20 minutes as I text messaged my cousins and even posted quickly on this blog. I don’t think I saw another batter hit that inning. It was a classic Yankee fan moment that doesn’t come along that often.
For a guy who has no money, how did he get season tickets? geesh. That ball ain’t worth that much if theres no signature. Give Arod the ball already.
Anyone who claims they wouldn’t be trying to get the maximum amount of money for this ball is a liar.
~~Don’t project your morality on anyone else.~~
Ironic. Didn’t you project YOUR morality by saying it was not the right thing to do?
I’d tell A-Rod he can have it if he stays with the Yankees, pays off my undergrad loans, and puts me through grad school. All that would be maybe roughly 2 days worth of work for A-Rod.
A-Rod’s TAKE HOME pay is almost $100,000 per game. Imagine a pile of 10 packs of $100 bills, each containing 100 bills wrapped by a bank band. That’s what the Yankees (with the assistance of Tom Hicks) effectively hand A-Rod after taxes after each of the 162 games he plays each season. He can afford to pay market value for his 500th HR ball. If Kowalczyk is willing to accept less than that, I’ll have to give him some credit, although he appears to be a Communist-worshiping moron.
I would demand at least 1/2 days take home pay ($50,000), in addition to tickets and autographed memorabilia. If a-Rod breaks Bond’s record, that ball will eventually be worth at least $300K.
That’s pre-tax
No, it’s after tax. A-Rod is making $27 million/year these days (this year and next 3, unless he opt out). That works out to $166,666 per game over a 162-game schedule. So A-Rod is pocketing nearly $100K per game. If he gets that ball for half that, he should be pretty happy.
Holy smokes!
SJ44 August 7th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
If I had caught that ball and they gave me an autographed jersey, a few other signed items and a photo with Arod and the ball, I’d be happy.
SJ44 another wise post you made. I agree with you. I’ve had the pleasure of hanging out with some pro athletes at some of their sports camps growing up and the towel boy for a pro basketball team. Some of the big named players were hesitant to sign autographs on certain collector’s items like posters and other stuff. Then I remember a couple of the players telling kids to make sure they hold on to their autographs. Didn’t understand then but one player told me that some don’t like the idea of their signed items being sold at such a high price and people getting cheated. He saw some of his signed items auctioned on Ebay and he said the fee they were asking for was atrocious. He even told one kid he would only sign his ball if he promised to keep hold on to it. I had some autograph items stolen from me when I was at a naive age. I didn’t know at the time people were making a profit until one of the players hipped me up to it. He was right because one of my uncles found it on Ebay selling for $800.00. It was one Cowboy’s Troy Aikman’s small team photos he signed for me when I went to one of his camps.
Just let me be the guy that catches the No. 756 ball when Bonds hits it and I call for a press conference, reach in my pocket and take a new Sharpie pen and mark a big asterisk [*] on the ball and announce that Bonds doesn’t get the specially marked ball and under heavy security, go right to Cooperstown to give it to the Hall. There would be all kinds of camera shots to validate that I caught the ball so all questions are removed.
ITA, Big Johnson! Why on earth should Kowalczyk give a multimillionaire a ball worth thousands of dollars for some petty souvenirs? Please. He needs to sell that ball at auction to the highest bidder. If Alex “I own a Picasso” Rodriguez really wants the ball let him put in a bid like the other millionaires.
Kowalczyk is milking his 15 minutes, but it is Pete’s stupid colleagues who are indulging him so it doesn’t say much for sports journalism/tabloids.
Season tix for life, playoff tix, college tuition, down payment on house etc. What, NOBODY wants their own wing in the Rodriguez estate in Greenwich, CT?
I’m in agreement with Pete, SJ44, Angel and some others. I can’t see holding an object of great importance to someone’s career, let alone baseball history, hostage because the other person is rich. not my thing. If this Rugers guy can get 50k, good for him. But the attitude of “this person makes xxx dollars a day so therefore they can cough up the ransom” reeks of greed and a deluded sense of entitlement. Just because the Trumps of this world have money means you get to name your price.
this rutgers kid: loses job for falling asleep, buys seasons tickets while making 20 to 30k, and goes on Mike and the Mad Dog for advice? sounds like a future presidential candidate!
correction:
Season tix for life, playoff tix, college tuition, down payment on house etc. What, NOBODY wants their own wing in the Rodriguez estate in Greenwich, CT?
I’m in agreement with Pete, SJ44, Angel and some others. I can’t see holding an object of great importance to someone’s career, let alone baseball history, hostage because the other person is rich. not my thing. If this Rugers guy can get 50k, good for him. But the attitude of “this person makes xxx dollars a day so therefore they can cough up the ransomâ€? reeks of greed and a deluded sense of entitlement. Just because the Trumps of this world have money DOESN’T mean you get to name your price.
this rutgers kid: loses job for falling asleep, buys seasons tickets while making 20 to 30k, and goes on Mike and the Mad Dog for advice? sounds like a future presidential candidate!