Pete Alonso 52nd Home Run Ball

[Gary Dunaier]

Not vintage (unless something from a game played two weeks ago qualfies ), but definitely game-used.

MLB is auctioning Pete Alonso's record-tying 52nd home run ball, which has been signed and inscribed by the "Polar Bear."



There were no issues about authenticity because the ball hit a wall and bounced back onto the field. Here's a screenshot from the live SNY (Mets) broadcast, showing the ball bouncing back onto the field after hitting the wall...



(In the above image, the ball is the diagonal white line just above the orange home run line, over the word "care.")

After the game, the Mets tweeted a picture of Alonso holding the authenticated ball - note the hologram sticker - with the message "It's a keeper for @Pete_Alonso20!"



The reason I thought the auction might be of interest to you is that, with 43 bids in and eight days to go, the current high bid is $10,530.

You all know that I'm a Mets fan. I'm also a Pete Alonso fan, and if you don't believe me, here's proof:



If that doesn't serve as the ironest of iron-clad documentation, nothing will.

Anyway, I'm saying this because, even though it's the Mets, and even though it's Pete Alonso, and even though it's a milestone ball... ten thousand dollars for a ball from a game that was only played two weeks ago? I'm shaking my head so much you'd think I was trying to be a real-life version of my bobblehead...

Pete Alonso Autographed Game-Used Baseball - Alonso Ties MLB Rookie Record for Most HRs in a Season - Inscribed "Career HR #52, Ties Single Season Rookie HR Record" - Dallas Keuchel to Pete Alonso - Home Run - 1st Inning - Mets vs. Braves - 9/27/19

[71buc]

More power to who ever is passionate or silly enough to land it. I own McGwires Rookie HR ball #38 autographed and inscribed as such. At that time he tied the MLB record for HRs by a rookie and set the AL record. I was offered more than 10k for it before the PED scandals. I suppose I should have taken it. Oh well...

[ooo-ribay]

Another stellar modern autograph.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by 71buc

More power to who ever is passionate or silly enough to land it. I own McGwires Rookie HR ball #38 autographed and inscribed as such. At that time he tied the MLB record for HRs by a rookie and set the AL record. I was offered more than 10k for it before the PED scandals. I suppose I should have taken it. Oh well...

Congrats on owning the McGwire ball, that is AWESOME!

I really like that this ball is authenticated and you will receive the real ball. It ties a ML record so it should bring a ton of cash.

[itslarry]

Mets fand have so little to be happy about, makes sense this ball goes for that much. What else are they going to buy modern?

[steve B]

Then- "It's a keeper"
A couple weeks later - "It's up for auction"

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by steve B

Then- "It's a keeper"
A couple weeks later - "It's up for auction"

I think we have all had that happen. I know I wanted a fairly rare Joe DiMaggio really bad. After I got one I was like damn this is a ugly card and sold it.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by itslarry

Mets fand have so little to be happy about, makes sense this ball goes for that much. What else are they going to buy modern?

I don't know, maybe the current, possibly 2x Cy Young winner? Tom Seaver? Dwight Gooden? Santana no-hitter stuff? Piazza?

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by steve B

Then- "It's a keeper"
A couple weeks later - "It's up for auction"

Steve, at least on this forum, I can count on one hand the number of forum members who sell their 'keepers' after only 2 weeks. They exist, but they are not common. 6 months maybe, but not 2 weeks.

[Smanzari]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Steve, at least on this forum, I can count on one hand the number of forum members who sell their 'keepers' after only 2 weeks. They exist, but they are not common. 6 months maybe, but not 2 weeks.

Not gonna lie, I'm HORRIBLE with this- after the chase some things are no longer "fun"

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Smanzari

Not gonna lie, I'm HORRIBLE with this- after the chase some things are no longer "fun"

I think you are onto something. The chase often is most of it.

[Snapolit1]

I don't think paying 10K for that ball is anywhere remotely as crazy as someone paying 25K for an Alonso or Acuna or Judge special purple refractor diamond card (15/25).

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Steve, at least on this forum, I can count on one hand the number of forum members who sell their 'keepers' after only 2 weeks. They exist, but they are not common. 6 months maybe, but not 2 weeks.

It just struck me as odd that a player would get a milestone ball like that, declare it a keeper than almost instantly sell it.

Flipping collectibles is one thing, but when there's that personal connection - "this is the ball that I set a record with" that seems strange.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by steve B

It just struck me as odd that a player would get a milestone ball like that, declare it a keeper than almost instantly sell it.

Flipping collectibles is one thing, but when there's that personal connection - "this is the ball that I set a record with" that seems strange.

It's raising money for a charity.

[bigfanNY]

And there is the real possibility that now that Pete Alonso has the ball he hit for Home run 53 he could let go of Home run 52..

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by steve B

It just struck me as odd that a player would get a milestone ball like that, declare it a keeper than almost instantly sell it.

For what it's worth, the tweet was posted by the Mets, not Alonso. Obviously "It’s a keeper for @Pete_Alonso20!" implies that Alonso was given the ball, but the actual tweet was written by whoever has the authority to write tweets on the Mets' behalf - Alonso didn't say 'It's a keeper for me!' or anything in that vein.

[Gary Dunaier]

With 18 hours to go - the auction is currently scheduled to end today (10/20/19) at 8.00pm Eastern time - the ball is now at $14,590.

[Gary Dunaier]

The auction has closed, and the final price was - are you sitting down? - $27,690 (twenty-seven thousand, six hundred and ninety dollars).



The story may not be over yet, though. The last 23 minutes of the auction developed into a bidding war between two individuals (the third bidder dropped out at $15,040). However, in the Facebook group "MLB Game Used," one person said that the winning bidder is a non-payer; however, another member of the group responded that he a) knows the winning bidder, b) just texted him, and c) believes he'll pay. So we'll see what happens.

But in the meantime... wow wow wow wow wow!

[Runscott]

To me the evidence of MLB auction results indicates that "non-paying bidder" means "MLB Shill Account". I say this because MLB Auctions requires a credit card before you can bid, and they take payment from your card immediately when the auction ends.

I was bid up on a baseball a few years ago, then the next day was told by MLB Auctions that I could have it for the high bid, even though I lost.

Not sure if the shill accounts are at the team level or MLB level.

[packs]

Theoretically you could register a credit card with a limit below the purchase price. That would prevent automatic charge and result in non-payment.

[Runscott]

Obviously, but I don't believe that is what's happening.

Also obviously, I am not involved with MLB auctions, so anything I mention is just theory. Take it as you may.