Jeter's 3000th hit ball...whats it worth?

Mdube16 · July 9, 2011 4:13AM

Ok...the hit ended up in the hands of a fan in LF. I am guessing thats easy 100k at auction. What do you guys think?

hhmag70 · July 9, 2011 4:15AM

$250,000 is a number I have read already in an article days ago.

ShoeboxTom · July 9, 2011 4:18AM

I hope Yankees security does request that the guy give up the ball for a bag of balls and a Jeter autograph.
This is this guys opportunity to truly cash in on something that should be worth some coin.

miconelegacy · July 9, 2011 4:22AM

I think this will go for far more than $250,000. Very Rare feat, and some baby boomer with millions to spend will have no problem dropping 4, 5, 600K plus on it.

Hope we find out!

itzagoner · July 9, 2011 4:25AM

it really depends on how many of them you have.

MULLINS5 · July 9, 2011 4:25AM

$862,000.00

MULLINS5 · July 9, 2011 4:27AM

David (Dpeck) can you help us out with this?

twiley · July 9, 2011 4:38AM

I would guess it is worth up to a million. New Yorkers have lots money. If I were the one who got the ball. I would request to hand it to Derek in person. All I would want out of it would be a hand shake and I would congratulate him.

forthe4unofit · July 9, 2011 4:45AM

You seriously would pay a million dollars just to shake Jeters hand?

Boopotts · July 9, 2011 4:48AM

<< I would guess it is worth up to a million. New Yorkers have lots money. If I were the one who got the ball. I would request to hand it to Derek in person. All I would want out of it would be a hand shake and I would congratulate him. >>

You do that and you might as well get your divorce lawyer on speed dial.

twiley · July 9, 2011 4:51AM

lol No I would not pay to shake anyone's hand.

I was only saying the ball could be worth up to a million.

If I was the one who caught it. I would give it back and only want a handshake out of it. Yeah my wife would probably divorce me over it but eh. Like someone posted over on the "Rangers fan falls and died" thread. "Its just a baseball"

bigred1 · July 9, 2011 4:55AM

I am sure we will find out and it will be considered news.

forthe4unofit · July 9, 2011 4:57AM

<< lol No I would not pay to shake anyone's hand.

I was only saying the ball could be worth up to a million.

If I was the one who caught it. I would give it back and only want a handshake out of it. Yeah my wife would probably divorce me over it but eh. Like someone posted over on the "Rangers fan falls and died" thread. "Its just a baseball" >>

Well hypothetically, let's say the ball would have been worth a million and you caught it. Giving the ball to Jeter for free (other than a hand shake), and not selling the ball for the million would essentially be you paying a million to instead shake his hand.

I understand the importance of the ball to Jeter, but no offense, the guy could care less about you. If he wanted it so bad, he'd be willing to fork over the million.

pmcollectour · July 9, 2011 4:59AM

If Jeter hits a ground rule double and the ball bounces into a fans hands in the right field seats, then I would think the ball belongs to that fan legally. I hope NY has good security in the stands for the next few games.

I personally would not hand the ball to Derek right away. I would certainly make sure that he gets it before a collector does, but I'd want to see if Derek would be willing to pay half as much as a collector would. I think it would be crazy to hand over a 1/2 million dollar item to someone who is already a multi-millionaire. I think Derek could be willing to pony up some funds for that ball. If he didn't, then that
ball goes to the highest bidder.

If I was a die-hard Yankee fan, then I may feel differently, and just hand him the ball.

twiley · July 9, 2011 5:01AM

<< 

<< lol No I would not pay to shake anyone's hand.

I was only saying the ball could be worth up to a million.

If I was the one who caught it. I would give it back and only want a handshake out of it. Yeah my wife would probably divorce me over it but eh. Like someone posted over on the "Rangers fan falls and died" thread. "Its just a baseball" >>

Well hypothetically, let's say the ball would have been worth a million and you caught it. Giving the ball to Jeter for free (other than a hand shake), and not selling the ball for the million would essentially be you paying a million to instead shake his hand.

I understand the importance of the ball to Jeter, but no offense, the guy could care less about you. If he wanted it so bad, he'd be willing to fork over the million. >>

I see your point. To me it is just a baseball. Regardless I didn't catch the ball so there is no point in going round and round on this.

bigred1 · July 9, 2011 5:05AM

He didnt want anything, but got a lot anyway.

twiley · July 9, 2011 5:05AM

Ha!

ShoeboxTom · July 9, 2011 5:07AM

The guy is not putting it up for auction. He is on the air now. He is getting front row tickets for
tomorrows game. He is getting tickets in a suite from now through the end of the season
(and the World Series if they make it). He also received some memorablia (bats and autographs etc...)

Mdube16 · July 9, 2011 5:09AM

<< The guy is not putting it up for auction. He is on the air now. He is getting front row tickets for
tomorrows game. He is getting tickets in a suite from now through the end of the season
(and the World Series if they make it). He also received some memorablia (bats and autographs etc...) >>

I wonder if he realizes what he gave up but he seemed to be good with it all.

itzagoner · July 9, 2011 5:15AM

lest we forget that by holding a baseball hostage to extort money from the New York Yankees would commit this man to a lifetime of vitriol.

fortunately, this didn't happen at Dodger Stadium where McCourt might have envisioned another partnership and a way out of bankruptcy.

cone10 · July 9, 2011 5:19AM

<< lest we forget that by holding a baseball hostage to extort money from the New York Yankees would commit this man to a lifetime of vitriol.

fortunately, this didn't happen at Dodger Stadium where McCourt might have envisioned another partnership and a way out of bankruptcy. >>

halfcentman · July 9, 2011 5:34AM

<< 

<< The guy is not putting it up for auction. He is on the air now. He is getting front row tickets for
tomorrows game. He is getting tickets in a suite from now through the end of the season
(and the World Series if they make it). He also received some memorablia (bats and autographs etc...) >>

I wonder if he realizes what he gave up but he seemed to be good with it all. >>

As much as I love sports memorabilia, he did the right thing. I live in NJ and had the pleasure of watching this on TV with my two daughters, 13 and 12.

The equity that he will receive for this decision will pay off for this 23-year-old young man in the long run.

Greg

Estil · July 9, 2011 5:52AM

I bet it's worth about tree fiddy.

stevek · July 9, 2011 6:20AM

ebay

otwcards · July 9, 2011 7:55AM

Stadium security pulled the guy that caught the ball during Cano's at bat in the inning. And to cap the day by going 5-5 and driving in the winning run . . . Jeter's never been the best in the game, but he seems to have a flair for the dramatic, doesn't he?

Toro · July 9, 2011 8:05AM

Haha, were talking about the NY Yankees and the owner that forks over millions and millions of dollars. I would have held out to take care of my family opposed to being selfish and accepting the first offer they gave me. haha, how you like that statement!

grote15 · July 9, 2011 9:25AM

Remarkable that he gave the ball back to the Yankees and basically said that it was Jeter's moment and he deserved to have the ball. How many here would have done that? Not sure if I admire the guy or think he's an idiot. The Yanks should also give him 25K as a sign of gratitude, imo..

bighurt2000 · July 9, 2011 9:25AM

If he keeped the ball wouldn't he have to had to pay some ungodly amount of taxes on it?
I think I remember a few years back someone caught a milestone homerun ball and couldn't
keep it because he had to pay taxes on it?

James

MantleMarisFordBerra · July 9, 2011 9:52AM

<< Remarkable that he gave the ball back to the Yankees and basically said that it was Jeter's moment and he deserved to have the ball. How many here would have done that? Not sure if I admire the guy or think he's an idiot. The Yanks should also give him 25K as a sign of gratitude, imo.. >>

Or Jeter himself. After all, what $25K or so to Jeter? As much as I am a huge Yanks fans, a huge Jeter fan...I would not be able to ignore the economics of the situation and would sell it. If the Yanks or Jeter came up with a reasonable figure I'd sell to them, even if it meat leaving some $$ on the table. But bottom line, if I catch that ball I'm payin' the house off one way or another.

Dboneesq · July 9, 2011 10:25AM

<< Not sure if I admire the guy or think he's an idiot. The Yanks should also give him 25K as a sign of gratitude, imo.. >>

Tim ... unless that kid is independently wealthy ... I vote ... IDIOT!

stevek · July 9, 2011 10:27AM

I would be fairly certain that if the guy placed the ball on ebay, that Jeter would more than likely outbid anyone else, if Jeter truly wanted the ball that bad...he could easily afford it.

Helping out those in need thru charity and/or other good types of ways - I respect and admire that tremendously. But handing back a valuable ball to some super rich ballplayer for free basically...sorry to say this but in my opinion the guy probably already regrets doing that. At the very least, the guy should have put the ball on ebay, let Jeter part with a paltry small percentage of his riches, and donate the auction money to charity.

metsfan · July 9, 2011 10:50AM

Really can't understand why people think this ball is worth so much? The only other player to hit a homerun for there 3,000th hit was Wade Boggs. How much is that ball worth? I realize it doesn't matter since the kid gave the ball to Jeter, but it would have been fun to see what the ball goes for.

frankhardy · July 9, 2011 11:05AM

<< I would guess it is worth up to a million. New Yorkers have lots money. If I were the one who got the ball. I would request to hand it to Derek in person. All I would want out of it would be a hand shake and I would congratulate him. >>

No way would I do that. I could provide a lot for my family. Yes, it was a nice jester by the man that caught it, but it was also a stupid jester (unless he was already wealthy). Some people get caught up in the emotion of it. If it were me, I'm walking out of the stadium right then and there, and I'm heading to the house with it. I don't care how much peer pressure would be around me from fans to give it to Jeter. I'm taking it home.

If this guy isn't already wealthy, in about a week he is going to be kicking himself - guarantee it!

MattyC · July 9, 2011 12:04PM

Looking at it from the other perspective, that of the player, were I Jeter I would DEFINITELY give the dude some coin. 25K easy. And that's if the ball meant a ton to me. I could easily see being that big a baller and saying to myself...

'Look, I'm Derek Jeter. I know what I just did was just pretty awesome. But I have a ton of memorabilia from my career and the game already. And besides, a ball in the stands is what fans come for. I play to give people thrills, and whoever just caught my 3000th got a huge one-- and here's a regular guy who could help his family, who needs it far more than I. And then this average guy is such a fan of mine that he forgoes that assistance to his family and gives me the ball? Hey, buddy, here's a check for 25K."

So I think it's pretty wack if DJ or the Yanks don't give the guy even like 10K, assuming they really wanted the ball. If they don't give him some cream and the dude needs money, he should've sold it. That's his kid's college right there-- for a baseball. And again if I were Jeter, I'd want a fan who caught my ball to put his kid through college with it, whether the money that paid for it was mine or a collector's at auction. Season tix for the rest of this season? Meh. For all of this season and next, and good seats, plus a ton of signed stuff from the Yanks, that would be an acceptable gesture from the team. I think the team got the better deal on this trade.

grote15 · July 9, 2011 12:14PM

I've decided now...the guy is an idiot, a noble idiot but an idiot nevertheless...

Of course, the Yankees may offer a token of their gratitude in the form of a monetary gift, but most ballplayers and major league clubs are arrogant and selfish, so I doubt it. Hope I'm wrong..

stevek · July 9, 2011 12:49PM

<<< Some people get caught up in the emotion of it >>>

I think that expresses it perfectly.

<<< the guy is an idiot, a noble idiot but an idiot nevertheless >>>

and that sums it up perfectly.

Dpeck100 · July 9, 2011 12:52PM

Finally someone that does not care about the money and did what was right.

This is Derek Jeter's moment. Let him enjoy it. Sure he could pay the guy what ever it takes but let him have it.

I am not religous but that type of kind deed will pay dividends one day.

stevek · July 9, 2011 12:59PM

<< Looking at it from the other perspective, that of the player, were I Jeter I would DEFINITELY give the dude some coin. 25K easy. And that's if the ball meant a ton to me. I could easily see being that big a baller and saying to myself...

'Look, I'm Derek Jeter. I know what I just did was just pretty awesome. But I have a ton of memorabilia from my career and the game already. And besides, a ball in the stands is what fans come for. I play to give people thrills, and whoever just caught my 3000th got a huge one-- and here's a regular guy who could help his family, who needs it far more than I. And then this average guy is such a fan of mine that he forgoes that assistance to his family and gives me the ball? Hey, buddy, here's a check for 25K."

So I think it's pretty wack if DJ or the Yanks don't give the guy even like 10K, assuming they really wanted the ball. If they don't give him some cream and the dude needs money, he should've sold it. That's his kid's college right there-- for a baseball. And again if I were Jeter, I'd want a fan who caught my ball to put his kid through college with it, whether the money that paid for it was mine or a collector's at auction. Season tix for the rest of this season? Meh. For all of this season and next, and good seats, plus a ton of signed stuff from the Yanks, that would be an acceptable gesture from the team. I think the team got the better deal on this trade. >>

Maybe I'm wrong and it has been done...but I don't recall anywhere a team or player in this situation, giving the person anything other than a pittance for them...such as an autographed cheap item, tickets to some game that wouldn't sell out so it doesn't really cost them anything, or something to that effect...cheap bastiges. I imagine Jeter won't even buy the guy a dinner...Jeter probably wouldn't want to spend an evening hobknobbing with some common folk.

123Slider · July 9, 2011 1:09PM

Good for the kid for giving it back. Could I do that, I don't know. He's far from an idiot in my mind though.

I can't believe so many of you find this so shocking.

There is still good old fashioned, decent people in this world that simply do the right thing, regardless of the dollars attached.

stevek · July 9, 2011 1:22PM

When he finds out and it hits him that possibly he could have made say $250,000 to $1,000,000 for the ball...I have to imagine that he might call himself an idiot.

grote15 · July 9, 2011 1:23PM

It's easy to say you'd "do the right thing" when you don't have a couple hundred thousand dollars on the table. And why is it "the wrong thing" for the guy to offer the ball, as SteveK indicated, to Jeter and/or the Yankees for an amount that is commensurate to its worth. Surely a guy who makes about 20 Million dollars a year should be willing to pay a reasonable price for it. It's not like Jeter or the Yankees would have to dig deep into their pockets. Jete probably spends about 25K after a night out at the club with a couple of teammates. Yes, it was Jeter's moment, but the moment the ball left the park, it becomes the property of whomever takes hold of it. Charity begins at home.

MattyC · July 9, 2011 1:41PM

Right on, Grote. Doing the right thing could just as easily be seen as Derek Jeter with his 100s of millions giving this nice guy a token of his appreciation-- be it some very cool piece of valuable Jeter memorabilia or a check, even for say 10k. Were I Jeter I'd feel awful taking what amounts to a nice chunk of change out of the pocket of an everyman. If Jeter has any class he'd hook the guy up. While I can't say what I'd hypothetically do were I the fan, in terms of keeping it or giving it to Jeter, I can definitely say that were I Jeter I'd give the guy at least 25K. I'd like to think many of us have been, albeit proportionately, that generous to people who have done solids for us. Jeter taking the ball and giving the guy zippo is weak.

frankhardy · July 9, 2011 1:44PM

<< Right on, Grote. Doing the right thing could just as easily be seen as Derek Jeter with his 100s of millions giving this nice guy a token of his appreciation-- be it some very cool piece of valuable Jeter memorabilia or a check, even for say 10k. Were I Jeter I'd feel awful taking what amounts to a nice chunk of change out of the pocket of an everyman. >>

Guarantee you I would fee that way.

The RIGHT THING TO DO would be for Derek Jeter to give the guy a fair market price for the ball. It wouldn't hurt him a bit.

MattyC · July 9, 2011 1:48PM

Could not agree more. Just edited my above post basically saying exact same thing. Makes one wonder just how 'in their own worlds' these prima dona athletes are. A-Rod's picture of himself as a centaur over his bed notwithstanding. Side note on the topic of prima dona treatment of athletes: imagine managers coddling guys from the 50's about Home Run Derby messing up their swings the way Girardi and other Yankee brass were concerned about Cano's participation? Upon hearing that, I was like, "Jeez, guys, these are grown men and athletes we're talking about, not babies."

miconelegacy · July 9, 2011 2:29PM

Survival of the fittest.

swartz1 · July 9, 2011 2:32PM

at the end of the day...

half a season of tickets and a couple of auto's....

aint gonna pay the bills...

Jeter said "he wouldnt have bought the ball"

but someone would have paid handsomely, the guy should have thought about his decision for at least one nite...

otwcards · July 9, 2011 3:46PM

My guess is that there have been a bounty of NYC lawyers contacting him and that there will be some litigation on his behalf to increase his end for recovery for return of the ball...

Probstein123 · July 9, 2011 8:35PM

the $300,000 to $400,000 estimate on that ball is way low....
that ball is a $1,000,000.00 ball...that cell phone salesman really gave away his willing lottery ticket...

does anyone know if jeter used the SAME bat for all 5 hits...or did he use a new bat after the 3,000 hit HR ?
would love to know...

shagrotn77 · July 10, 2011 12:26AM

I feel bad for the guy. He got swept up in the hoopla and left a ton of money on the table in the process. I think it's completely absurd for anyone to anyone to begrudge him getting every cent for the ball. How ironic would it be too, since Jeter put the screws to the Yanks' front office in the off season, making them pay 3x to 4x what any other team would've. Jeter obviously knows values, so he knows this guy got hosed.

twiley · July 10, 2011 1:17AM

Just a guess. I don't think he used the same bat for all 5 hits. I recall seeing him tarring up a bat (as if it was a new unused bat) before his 3001 hit at bat. I assume the bat he used for hit #3000 he put away. I could be wrong though. I do know Derek gives all his memorabilia to his parents.

mlbfan2 · July 10, 2011 1:25AM

<< I do know Derek gives all his memorabilia to his parents. >>

Then it's pretty strange that quite a bit ends up on ebay!

I take it that you mean all of his important memorabilia.

Jeter's 3000th hit ball...whats it worth?

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