Teams negotiate to get back homerun balls

[mcgwirecom]

I was just reading this article on another site http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...googlenews_wsj and wanted to get some opinions on this. I think maybe we discussed this before with Jeters 3000th hit but since it is in the news again...

The article brings up that when some fans asked for a little more than they thought was reasonable, the teams would balk on the deal and let the fan walk away with the ball. Then they act as though the fan was being unreasonable. Its interesting that if the ball would drop in the bullpen that MLB would put a sticker on it and sell it themselves for far more than the price of an autographed bat or ball! So now who is unreasonable? They expect a fan to hand over a baseball that could sell for hundreds or thousands (or millions in one case!) but when they get a hold of one they sell it for hundreds or thousands! Does anyone see the irony? What say you?

[keating3620]

I agree with you. There is no correct or incorrect way to handle it. Each fan should be able to choose if they want to give it back for free, ask for something(reasonable or unreasonable), or keep it and/or sell.

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by keating3620

I agree with you. There is no correct or incorrect way to handle it. Each fan should be able to choose if they want to give it back for free, ask for something(reasonable or unreasonable), or keep it and/or sell.

Ditto. Well written.

[David Atkatz]

Each fan can choose. Unfortunately many are so drunk with hero-worship that they're thrilled to be taken advantage of by their idols.

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Each fan can choose. Unfortunately many are so drunk with hero-worship that they're thrilled to be taken advantage of by their idols.

I wonder if Christian Lopez regrets giving up the Jeter 3000k ball for some trinkets and season ticket seats. A few hundred G in some investment accounts would have been the gift that kept on giving.

[drc]

MLB wants it back so they can sell it for profit. And I'm supposed to have sympathy for their plight, why?

Clearly, MLB knows it's the fan's ball rightfully, otherwise they'd just take the ball away. And don't doubt it, they would. If you tried to walk out of the stadium with a seat or a banner, they'd have you arrested on the spot. MLB won't try and barter you for that seat, they'll have you taken off in handcuffs and banned from the stadium for life.

[Splinte1941]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

I wonder if Christian Lopez regrets giving up the Jeter 3000k ball for some trinkets and season ticket seats. A few hundred G in some investment accounts would have been the gift that kept on giving.

I agree with your sentiments. I'm sorry, but the entire scenario around Jeter's 3000th was painful to watch. Someone with a half an ounce of business sense needed to talk turkey to that poor bastard.

Auction the thing off and help your family. While I admire his selfless nature, he came across as a sycophant fan boy.

[esd10]

now if i caught jeters 3000th hit i would have told him to buy it at auction you can afford it. I meet jeter many years ago when he played for the clippers and at that time he was nice and down to earth but now he seems to think he is above the fans who pay his crazy salary and i wish there was still the conection between fans and players like there use to.

[CW]

Even if he does not sell the ball, Murphy would still owe the taxes based on a reasonable estimate of its value, according to Barrie. Capital gains taxes also could be levied in the future as the ball gains value, he said.

Thanks for posting that info, Gary. I also think that is BS, but it doesn't surprise me with out tax-happy government. By the same token, we, as taxpayers, should also be able to claim a deduction based on losses for all those games we attended in which we didn't catch a milestone homerun ball. I've spent a lot of money on baseball tickets and have yet to catch a milestone ball!

[drc]

Most actual instances I can think of are where the ordinary fan wins a prize (ala the Walmart T206) where it clearly is something of worth and is intended and advertised to be a prize of worth.

[packs]

I can see it being possible to attempt to tax you but did they actually tax the catcher of the ball? Or any balls before they were sold? Seems like the article is saying it is possible but it's not clear if it was actually followed through on. I can't see theoretical taxes being constitutional.

If your father was a player, do you have to pay taxes when he hands you a jersey to hang up in your room? Does Albert Pujols have to pay taxes on every game used jersey he takes home just in case he sells them?

[mcgwirecom]

I have never heard of anyone being taxed for a ball they caught. Only if you sell it.

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by CW

Thanks for posting that info, Gary. I also think that is BS, but it doesn't surprise me with out tax-happy government. By the same token, we, as taxpayers, should also be able to claim a deduction based on losses for all those games we attended in which we didn't catch a milestone homerun ball. I've spent a lot of money on baseball tickets and have yet to catch a milestone ball!

It seems like the purchasing of tickets in the pursuit of catching a ball would be considered an investment expense and should be deductible!!