CHAT
As we are quickly approaching a historic event in Major League Baseball, a lot has been said and written by sports writers and other journalists about the memorabilia being left in the wake of the climb to 62 home runs. This past week Mark McGwire passed Hack Wilson as the all-time single season NL home run champ and then went on for four more longballs to tie Babe Ruth's mark of 60. As each swing pushed a ball toward the bleachers, the scramble in the stands began with people trying to grab the ultimate piece of history. Each time, it seems, the lucky person ends up on tv with someone asking what he's going to do with the ball. This brings up a great question: What would you do with "62"?
The guys who were quick enough to scramble for numbers 58 and 59 got a decent deal. They both decided to give the ball back to Big Mac in exchange for two signed balls, two signed bats, a signed McGwire jersey, and 6 tickets to the next night's game. In all I'd say that's a couple thousand dollars worth of stuff and a trade I'd probably make myself. This past Saturday when number 60 flew into the stands, the young man who grabbed it really hit a decent jackpot. In addition to the same basic signed memorabilia he asked if he could take batting practice with McGwire. Both Mark and the Cardinals were happy to help make that dream come true and sweetened it up with two season tickets for next year! I'm pretty sure I would have made that trade too (if Mac played for the Mets!).
Next up is 61. With 61, McGwire (or maybe Sammy Sosa if he gets hot) will match the 1961 feat of Roger Maris. While never thought of in the same way as the Babe, Maris has held this record longer than Ruth, and ball number 61 is definitely as important as number 60 and should be worth at least as much. I think the only other thing I might be interested in would be having my name associated with the ball if and when it reaches Cooperstown. Maybe it's just an ego thing, but I won't make it into the Hall of Fame any other way (except to visit) so if I'm going to bypass making a profit at least I'd like some recognition.
That brings us to the real question: What would you do with "62"? I'm a huge baseball fan, but I'm by no means a rich person. Each week I buy a Power Ball ticket hoping that I might win millions (and each week I end up out a buck). The way I look at it "62" would be my winning ticket. Reports are getting stronger every day that offers of at least one million dollars or more will be heading in the direction of the person that pulls "62" from the dogpile. I love baseball. I think McGwire and Sosa are great, both on and off the field. One Million Dollars?? Sorry guys, I've got to take the cash.
McGwire has said numerous times that he won't pay for any of these balls, but he hopes to get them all back so they can go into the Hall of Fame. I agree with his attitude. Why should he pay for something that in many ways he already owns? The problem is that if someone else is willing to pay for it then chances are good that the ball will be sold. I probably won't be at that game where "62" takes flight so all I can say is that if someone is planning on paying a million for that $9 ball I sure hope he plans on sending it to Cooperstown so the rest of us get a chance to see it.
CHAT