Ball for Bonds's 756th homer going to auction
SAN FRANCISCO: The fan who caught Barry Bonds's record-breaking home run ball earlier this month has decided to let it go.
Matt Murphy, a 21-year-old university student from Elmhurst in New York, has enlisted the services of Sotheby's/SCP Auctions to auction the ball online from August 28 to September 15.
"Two weeks ago history was made," Murphy told a news conference on Tuesday. "I was privileged to be there and was lucky enough to be the guy who caught the ball.
"Today I'm excited to announce that myself, along with SCP Auctions, will put the ball up for sale."
SCP Auctions officials, who are also selling Bonds's record-equalling 755th home run ball over the Internet, have estimated the value of the 756 ball at around $500,000.
"This is an historic event in the field of sports memorabilia," said David Kohler, president of SCP Auctions.
"Never before have two baseballs generated more curiosity and passion throughout a nation of baseball fans and collectors."
San Francisco Giants outfielder Bonds hit his 756th homer against the Washington Nationals on August 7 to eclipse Hank Aaron's all-time mark.
In his 22nd Major League season, Bonds completed the feat off Nationals starting pitcher Mike Bacsik in the fifth inning to put the Giants 5-4 ahead in a game they would go on to lose 8-6.
Murphy, watching the game with a friend, was submerged by other fans after he grabbed the ball in the stands before being helped away by police officers.
"We hustled," he said. "The ball took a lucky bounce. The scramble for the ball was the longest minute of my life. I think one gentleman kicked me in the back of the head.
"There were people on top of people on top of people, which I didn't really understand. The San Francisco Police Department really helped me out by getting there quickly."
Adam Hughes, a 33-year-old plumber from La Jolla in California, caught the ball slugged by Bonds for his 755th home run on August 4 at San Diego's Petco Park against Padres pitcher Clay Hensley.
Agencies
(China Daily 08/23/2007 page23)
