MLB: Rookie Pays a "Ransom" to Get his First HR Ball

[AIT]

Marlins' Chris Coghlan miffed by fan's home run 'ransom' - ESPN

Marlins rookie Chris Coghlan recently hit his first homerun in Milwaukee. Coghlan, like most players, wanted to keep his first home run ball, but he had to negotiate with a ballhawk to get it back. He offered to give the ballhawk a signed bat, and to take a picture with him. Coghlan was offended when the ballhawk demanded that he also get a signed Hanley Ramirez bat, and tickets to an upcoming Marlins game in Florida. (He eventually got the tickets, but not the Ramirez bat).

Both guys claim the other one was rude, so I'm not sure who to believe, but the ballhawk sounds like a major d-bag. For starters, there's something inherently wrong with a grown man who ballhawks for hobby. Second, a signed bat for this ball is more than fair considering the ball means a lot to the player and the ballhawk already owns 50 other homerun balls. Third, it's really rude to ask a player to get another player's autograph.

The end of this story has a quote from the ballhawk that's pretty funny:

"While posing for the photo, he said, 'You gonna give me the ball, man, or what?" Yohanek said. "After he was given the home run ball, he stormed off without a word. Only to return and say, 'Why y'all gotta hold my ball for ransom?' I hold balls for ransom? Those are Chris Coghlan's words, not mine."

 

[hurdleisu24]

I don't have a problem with asking for tickets or something like that but you don't ask for an autograph from someone else. If you don't want their autograph then ask for tickets or something like that not another players autograph.

 

[superdorf]

For a basically worthless homerun ball I would just give it to the player. Hopefully the player would be nice enough to reward your kindness.

 

[madcityCY]

I was at that game. I would have thrown it back....

 

[cmoneyr]

A homerun ball from some nobody? Just give it back to him for god's sake.

 

[IcSyU]

A homerun ball from some nobody? Just give it back to him for god's sake.

This. Good God, it might be the only great moment the guy has in the majors. You don't have to be a ****.

 

[LindenCy]

The guy who caught it sounds like a jerk, especially since he could buy tickets to the other series and it is just rude to ask for another player's autograph.

 

[IcSyU]

I would've taken and grabbed my bat, said "Hanley, I'm forging your name on this quick for some *** hole, but after I get my ball, I'm telling him it's fake."

 

[hurdleisu24]

Ask for something the rookie can give you a picture,tickets or his autograph no reason to be a jerk about something like that.

 

[LindenCy]

I would've taken and grabbed my bat, said "Hanley, I'm forging your name on this quick for some *** hole, but after I get my ball, I'm telling him it's fake."

That's pretty good.

 

[TarHeelHawk]

Deadspin caught wind of this. Apparently they guy that caught it does this sort of thing frequently, as he claims to have caught 775 home runs.

Deadspin - Rookie Millionaire Versus Obsessive Super Fan - Who Ya Got? - Mlb