Giving back potential HOF items

[esd10]

I wouldn't give it back and I would tell them they can win it at the auction if they really wanted it.

[packs]

For a long time I dreamed of finding something that the HOF would want to display with my name next to it as the donor. But after finding out how little the HOF actually cares about it's items, I'd never give anything to them.

[djson1]

I can understand a player wanting a milestone ball back. But I've always been shocked by how little that player or organization will exchange with the individual. I've heard of just a signed ball, a pair of tix (if even that!), and a chance to meet the player backstage in exchange for the ball back. We're talking about guys who earn more money than most of us will ever see in our lifetimes and they only offer weak exchanges like that?! I think a big fat check should be more than fair.

[packs]

I agree. The team or player should pay market price for the item. I don't know what compels people to give players anything. That guy won't even write his name down for you 9 times out of 10.

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by packs

I agree. The team or player should pay market price for the item. I don't know what compels people to give players anything. That guy won't even write his name down for you 9 times out of 10.

I agree. I would try to get an estimate or appraisal for a value and offer it to the player first at that price. If not, it would go to auction. This is assuming it was a piece worth 10s of thousands of dollars or more. If it didn't have a lot of value, say some rookie's first home run ball I might try to get some tickets or a few autographed items.

I don't understand how someone could catch a ball worth their entire year's salary, or many times more, and just give it back to someone who makes millions. I guess I'm not that nice of a guy.

[packs]

If they asked Derek Jeter today what the name of the guy was who gave back his 3,000th hit, do you think he'd be able to tell you?

[Jantz]

Why is the baseball the fan's property in the first place?

Just because he caught it?

Its not like an outfielder throwing a third out pop fly ball into the stands to a fan as a souvenir or a football player tossing the football into the stands after scoring a touchdown.

If a baseball player hits a milestone homerun into the stands, that's his accomplishment and if he wants the ball back, he should have it.