What would you do with Bonds' 756 ball

andywtn

If you caught it?

I would donate it to the Hall of Fame.

frankhardy

I'll be very clear - I would sell it without hesitation, and do it as quickly as possible.

digicat

I'd sell it to the highest bidder. I can't afford to simply give away a potential $100k - $1 mil windfall like that.

However, before I sold the ball, maybe I could get a picture of me and Barry, with me holding the ball. Then I'd put that picture up in the entry way of the house that I'd buy with the money I'd get from selling the ball.

mkg809

I would give it to Hank Aaron and let him do what he wanted with it.

koby

Sell it. Some auction house is already offering one million dollars.

larryallen73

I would sell it for sure. I would sell it fast too. The more interesting question to me is why would you donate it to the hall? Are you that wealthy? Would it really excite you to see your name on a plaque for as long as that ball is on display (which might not be that long)? I just don't understand why anybody, except the ultra-rich, would donate something to any museum. Most of us can use a tax deduction but more of us can use cash in our pockets!

Ladder7

<< <i> I just don't understand why anybody, except the ultra-rich, would donate something to any museum. Most of us can use a tax deduction but more of us can use cash in our pockets! >>



So our wives don't get it!

perkdog

Sell it without question!

Graphix

I have to say I would ask to arrange a meeting to give the ball back to Bonds. If he said he did not care or did not want the ball then I would sell it. After all it is his accomplishment, it would really suck if I did something in the workplace that was considered a major achievement and someone else got a big fat raise for it.

Of course there is always the consolation of getting the credit for the achievement rather then the money.

Whippee!!!!!!

andywtn

Far from rich.

Normally when these historic situations come up I would say give the ball back to the player. I have nothing against anyone making a few bucks off of an auction if he or she was lucky enough to catch the ball. But for me seeing as Barry Bonds is leaving what I believe is a a scar on baseball I would donate it to the Hall of Fame to try and make a positive out of a negative.

cohocorp

absolutely sell the bonds ball. it will certainly drop in value after the initial interest esp when arod breaks the career hr record. but thats still years away.

RipublicaninMass

sell sell sell!

storm888

Sell, Sell, Sell...........


But, there are all kinds of fun and worthwhile
ways to do that. I would make sure that I
got the primary financial benefit from it, that
one or more charitable groups benefitted, and
that baseball/HOF was also rewarded.

Gonblott

I would give it to my son and play catch in the park.

BobaFett72

sell it for big bucks

DerekD

What kind of taxes would have to have pay on this if you sold it?

stown

<< <i>What kind of taxes would have to have pay on this if you sold it? >>



Probably short-term capital gains tax, if I were to guess.

I too would sell it without even thinking twice about it. Don't know what I would do with the proceeds but it's a good problem to have

Carew29

I would cut it up into a thousand swatches for next years baseball card set from Topps.

1989FleerBillRipkencollector

Sell it, but do so as previously mentioned to benefit myself other than financially. Somehow mention my FF mission so I can find all those collectors and X Fleer employees with knowledge.

Brian48

I'd sell it in heartbeat. Absolutely no sentimental value towards it or him. One caveate though, I'd sell it to anyone EXCEPT Barry Bonds. Screw him. If he wants it, he'll have to get off the secondary market.

originalisbest

I'd sell it that moment to Heritage for the $1 mil they're offering outright. As soon as it hit my palm, were that possible.

ArnyVee

I would get punched in the face and kicked in the head repeatedly by other fans.

Then, as I was being placed onto the ambulance in the fetal position on the gurney, I would announce that it's up for sale.

carew4me

Brian48

Or................I could just sell it to Upper Deck. I can make some decent cash and know that the ball will be immediately cut up and used for the mid-season release of commemorative game used cards.

Bunker

In a heart beat. If I sold it to Topps or Upperdeck for the purpose of making game used cards I would make sure that I received one as a part of the deal.

Estil

Sell, sell, sell!! What's one measly ball compared to owning all the classic 50s/60s/70s Topps sets?

Graphix

I find it odd that some of the responses to this thread say the would sell the ball because it is Bonds who is breaking the record. I doubt that who the player is would really dictate whether or not someone would sell it. I think if the cash incentive is the reason to sell the ball then it simply would not matter who it was. I am in no way defending Bonds but I personally have never met the man, and do not know anything about him other then what has been in the media. Personally I can not imagine what life must be like with the constant barrage of people who cannot discern between public and private times for any athlete much less one like Bonds. Does anyone really think that if he took steriods it really accounts for that many more homeruns then he has hit. I doubt that steriods alone would turn someone into a career .300 hitter, there has to be some talent involved. Bonds power numbers started to increase in the early 90s and besides the year he hit 73 have been consistent from that point on in the 40 range. Of course there have been plenty of players who have posted career numbers in the homerun category and never come close again. Brady Anderson hit 50 in 1996, yet never managed more then 24 before or after...must have been steriods. In 1961 Maris hit 61, closest he came was the year before and after (39 and 33 respectively), 1963 and 64 were mediocre with 23 and 26 while his normal year was around 19 round trippers. Must have been steriod years between 1960 and 1964. Luis Gonzalez hit 57 2001 while only mustering up 30 or more once, the year before...again, must have been steriods that year. The list goes on and on for players who have managed to throw up numbers that did not match their career stats. Again, I am not defending Bonds but other then the year with 73 his totals have been consistent since the early 90's and I'm not sure I am ready to believe the marketing machine known as the media. All the dirty laundry they can sell means more money ... feed the machine ... feed the machine ... feed the machine!

stown

<< <i>I think if the cash incentive is the reason to sell the ball then it simply would not matter who it was. >>



For me, it would depend on the history of the ball, how much I was offered, and my emotional attachment to the player and/or record.

Regardless of the accusations, I was never really a Bonds fan. Repect as a player, yes but not a collector or such. Considering there's an outstanding offer of $1,000,000.00, I wouldn't lose any sleep selling it in a heartbeat.

Say I got my hands on Biggio's 3,000th hit Now that would be a tough one to part with. As a life-time fan, probably would do it for a handshake; however, my sleep would be few and far inbetween.

Having said that, there's one ball that will never, ever leave my possession...

Of the thousands of games my rear has been to, I've caught only one ball (be it a HR or foul ball during the game).

A Buddy Bell foul ball

originalisbest

Read George Will's latest column about Mr. Bonds to assist your opinion of whether or not he's a cheat and baldfacedly lies about it. As for the ball in question, duh, it's a matter of money. I don't care if Abe Lincoln's ghost hit it, for a million bux, I'm sellin'.

stown

Buddy's ball

Graphix

<< <i>Read George Will's latest column about Mr. Bonds to assist your opinion of whether or not he's a cheat and baldfacedly lies about it. As for the ball in question, duh, it's a matter of money. I don't care if Abe Lincoln's ghost hit it, for a million bux, I'm sellin'. >>



If you are referring to Mr. Will's column in Newsweek I have read it. I love the way it mentions the tons of testimony of Bonds head feet and jersey size increasing. Yet we have no actually proof of any of this other then these peoples testimony. I love the fact that it mentions Bonds never failed a steroid test yet alludes to the fact that there is no reliable test and plenty of masking ingrediants "concocted" by chemists (oh how I love a great conspiracy theory). Of course in all fairness to Mr. Will he does also mention the use of Greenies or Speed (amphetamines) by players such as Pete Rose. Of course this is cited from a book where the author qoutes another player. I am not exactly sure how reading this column would assist me form my opinion, that is unless I am supposed to believe everything I read.

milbroco

I would inject the ball with steroids and watch the baseball inflate to the size of a basketball and then donate it to the Hall of Fame for a new wing to be opened called the "Hall Of Shame"

Bob

Graphix

I forgot to mention the fact that Mr Will also mentions that Bonds shaved his head and some have said it was because his hair was falling out (again alluding to steriod use). This combined with the fact that he writes how Bonds got bigger and better after the age of 30 can lead me to only one conclusion. Michael Jordan also had more body mass and got better later in his career. On top of that he was also bald. I think it is quite obvious given these hard facts that Jordan must have used steriods. I wonder if anyone can remember if his shoe and head size increased?

originalisbest

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't convince him to give up heartfelt, willful denial.

Graphix

Are you seriously saying that there is some offering of proof in the column. I mean come on. If you dislike the man because you think he is a pain in the *** that is one thing. But to use unproven accusations of steroids as a crutch to deny him an accomplishment is petty at best. Pete Rose was found guilty and admitted to gambling on Baseball while he was a manager. Popular fan vote says give him a pass...let him in the Hall! Why? Because he was a nice guy. I say give Bonds his due, and his day. If he breaks the record then let him and the fans that wish to celebrate do so. Later if he his found guilty then strip his name from the books and let him wear the black mark, but convicting him through the media is shameful.

TheVon

I'm a little surprised that no Cubs fans have chimed in to say that they'd throw the ball back onto the field if it happened at Wrigley. I think it would be really cool, and ridiculously stupid, to do just that.

originalisbest

As Bonds seems so fond of saying, he's really not worth the energy - either to prove his guilt, or trumpet his "accomplishments". You seem to have a lot invested in defending him - but that's your waste of time.

Graphix

<< <i>As Bonds seems so fond of saying, he's really not worth the energy - either to prove his guilt, or trumpet his "accomplishments". You seem to have a lot invested in defending him - but that's your waste of time. >>




Your right. Finding and citing sources to convince people Bonds is the Boogie Man would be a good use of one's time.

Blackborder

I'd make a nice display with the ball and a game used syringe.

Stone193

<< <i>Personally I can not imagine what life must be like with the constant barrage of people who cannot discern between public and private times for any athlete much less one like Bonds. >>

Graphix

I can give you about 8 to 10 'million' reasons a year for anyone to accept that burden and retain Dr Phil on a full time basis to tell me than I'm a good boy.

No sympathy, no empathy - when someone makes as much in one game as a guy makes in a year working his ass off - I think ya know where I'm going with this?

mike

Blackborder

<< <i>

<< <i>Personally I can not imagine what life must be like with the constant barrage of people who cannot discern between public and private times for any athlete much less one like Bonds. >>

Graphix

I can give you about 8 to 10 'million' reasons a year for anyone to accept that burden and retain Dr Phil on a full time basis to tell me than I'm a good boy.

No sympathy, no empathy - when someone makes as much in one game as a guy makes in a year working his ass off - I think ya know where I'm going with this?

mike >>



And especially when he despises the people funding his paycheck.

Stone193

I agree with those who would strike fast - sell.

The whole homerun race is tainted - the spectre of steroids will forever change the perception of the game for me.

This is not a value judgement but rather an observation.

The excitement that baseball had when Sosa and McGwire were chasing the record was sweet - now the whole thing is bitter sweet - only because I still like baseball more than any other sport.

What a shame. I was there when Maris broke the record, I was there when McGwire broke the record.
I was there when Bonds brokes the record.

Now? I could give a rats ass - the numbers have little meaning to me anymore.

Graphix

<< <i>I can give you about 8 to 10 'million' reasons a year for anyone to accept that burden and retain Dr Phil on a full time basis to tell me than I'm a good boy.

No sympathy, no empathy - when someone makes as much in one game as a guy makes in a year working his ass off - I think ya know where I'm going with this?

mike >>





Mike,

I really don't understand why you would think that. Are you saying the level of abuse and intrusiveness a person should have to tolerate is based on their income? I really have to disagree. If I am a CPA at what level of income do I have to reach before I get a ton of people interupting my son's birthday party at chuckie cheese with questions about their taxes. How about an attorney, what is the minimum dollar amount I can make before my golf game is constantly being harassed by people wanting litigation advice on the course? He is a ball player and nothing more. He is paid to help his team win games and as a byproduct provide fans with entertainment, but that only lasts from the first pitch to the last out. Perhaps if we were in the shoes of some of these players we would see it differently.

Goot

I would buy the Devil Rays!!!

Graphix

<< <i>I would buy the Devil Rays!!! >>



Talk about flushing your money down the toilet! Jus kidding you! I am still setting aside Braves and D-Rays for ya.

RipublicaninMass

This guy would "grind it up and snort it"

Graphix

<< <i>This guy would "grind it up and snort it"


>>

prscott933

<< <i>I'm a little surprised that no Cubs fans have chimed in to say that they'd throw the ball back onto the field if it happened at Wrigley. I think it would be really cool, and ridiculously stupid, to do just that. >>



I've been thinking about this all year as I might be at a game that could be around the time he does it. I really think if I caught it, I would wait until the camera is good and on me and then I would spit on it and throw it back onto the field... dumb yes, but I think I could get some dough out of the follow on interviews etc. This way he would get the ball back too with a little of my own gift.

elsnorto

<< <i>I would buy the Devil Rays!!! >>



Yeah? What would you do with the other $850,000 left over?



By the way, El Snorto is guinea pig latin for "The Capitalist". Sell, baby, sell!

Snorto~

greenmonstaaaah

smear some cream and clear (or whatever its called) on it, maybe inject it with some hgh, throw it in a feces-filled toilet and flush twice.....
go red sox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stone193

<< <i>I really don't understand why you would think that. Are you saying the level of abuse and intrusiveness a person should have to tolerate is based on their income? >>

No Graphy

Based on relative celebrity status - big difference.

Celebrities are more like 'royalty' in this country - kind of like "property" of the people...

They pay the way for celebrities - and the public has expectations - granted media exceed any normal person's expectations - but that's life.

This has been going on ever since the first caveman bagged a dinosaur and become the focus of hero worship amongst the clan - it goes with the turf if ya know what I mean.

There's a concommitant of money and celebrity status in this world - and thus the person reaping rewards beyond any normal person's grasp - has to develop very thick skin, hire the right people to assist them in navigating the treacherous waters of life that we take for granted.

If ya want to be rich AND be a celebrity - ya lose all sense of privacy - I'm not saying it right - I'm stating the way it is IMO.

And - to be honest - Bonds never was the pinnacle of affability - he deserves everything he gets from the media - unfortunately.

mike