Sat Jul 09 03:48pm EDT
Fan returns 3,000th hit to Jeter, team rewards his generosity
By ‘Duk
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As a 23-year-old cell phone salesman, Christian Lopez had thousands of reasons to hold out for the highest bidder on the baseball from Derek Jeter’s(notes) 3,000th hit. In fact, some estimates put the ball’s worth at $250,000, money that the recent graduate from St. Lawrence University could have certainly used.
And yet when New York Yankees officials found Lopez after he corralled Jeter’s historic home run, the only thing that the big Yankees fan wanted was to return the ball to the man who had hit it.
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What would you have done?
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Wow, that’s a tough one.
I doubt I’d have been as gracious as this fellow.
I’d hope that I’d tie two baseball stories together.
Remember that fan who fell to his death leaving his son an orphan?
I’d have gotten my favorite lawyer to negotiate a deal. The fair value of the ball should wind up in the Texas Rangers’ account that was setup for the child and Jeter should get the ball. And, how it all happens are mere details. Since I had possession of the ball, I’m sure it could all be worked out.
I hope I’d have the stones to make it happen.
That’s what I think I’d have done. Or, what I’d like to THINK that’s what I’d have done. It’s what I HOPE i’d have done.
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