Fan a DBAG? or is he right? you be the judge

[Big Mac McGwire]

I dont think the fans is nuts. I think he right for asking something for it. But 10k is way to much. Unless were dealing with a milestone HR ball hit by pujols, Arod etc. But if i had a milestone ball , i wasnt a fan of the player, that ball is gettin sold in a major auction house. I think some of the fans are straight stupid idiots that give the ball back for nothing. Just like the guy who caught #62 by mcgwire. If that was me, id either keep it or straight sell it. To give a ball back for nothing is idiotic. Now if there is a star player on the team, then maybe we can trade. I wouldnt want anything from any of the A's players. If i snagged the kids first homerun ball , and say mcgwire was still on the team, id ask for a signed game used mcgwire bat, something like that i would do. A signed Game Model or game ready bat is NOT cutting it. I remember there was a guy who gave Manny back his 500 HR ball back for free. Yeaa that might happen with me. First off, the hell with trading it. You can buy 6 game used signed bats for what it would fetch at auction. But if the kids is a rookie, then i would ask for something from a star player on his team. Im sure the team would work something like that out. If it's not game used and autograped then there is no deal. If there is no star players on the team like the A"s, i would prolly hold onto the ball incase the rookie makes it big.

 

[nyc3]

Oh, we'll know. This is a great story - if I was the fan and was a "huge fan with no interest in selling" I'd call the Oakland newspapers for them to get my side; get on the evening news, etc.

I think you're right; if the site was DEMANDED (and quite frankly, there is some case law which would indicate that I was "squatting" on the site) of me, or worse, I was threatened with legal action, I would certainly be offended. If there was a statement as you said, I would be even more offended and certainly no longer want to keep the site or be a fan of Cole's. Therefore, I'd probably put the site on eBay and get a few hundred bucks (frankly, the jerseys were real -$200 ea, plus real bats - at least $50-75 ea, so I got about $500 + the autos..) and be done with Cole. However, the site has some value to other people. I don't think many people other than Matt Carson (this is the dude with the huge eyebrows in a Yankees uniform in the 2002 UD Prospect Premieres set, right?) want this ball, and it has little value.

I understand your scenario, but I TRULY doubt this guy is a huge Matt Carson fan. He's just trying to strongarm the team.

That being said, the team should offer something a little more valuable than a bat or a single signed ball/jersey. Get a team ball, and/or tickets... As for requiring money only, the ball holder is an idiot. These things can be sold for cash, which is just as good as money.

I agree he is an idiot, but from the clips I seen he was refusing to leave with security just shaking his head no. I dont think he was even aware that it was his first HR until they removed him from his seat to talk, from the look on his face he looked like a fan who was happy he caught a hr ball maybe even his first to only be bothered by security for around 25 mins. While his demands are comical, in my opinion it dont justify a press release calling him out on it and maybe he just threw that number out there knowing they would leave him alone.

 

[cubfan131]

I agree he is an idiot, but from the clips I seen he was refusing to leave with security just shaking his head no. I dont think he was even aware that it was his first HR until they removed him from his seat to talk, from the look on his face he looked like a fan who was happy he caught a hr ball maybe even his first to only be bothered by security for around 25 mins. While his demands are comical, in my opinion it dont justify a press release calling him out on it and maybe he just threw that number out there knowing they would leave him alone.

This is more than likely what happened. If I was lucky enough to catch a HR ball I’d want to keep it especially if I’m only being offered an auto’d bat/jersey of a scrub. He may not have been a fan of the team and would rather have the ball then anything they were offering him. I don’t fault him at all and he probably just threw 10K out there knowing they would either leave him alone or he’d get really lucky. If I caught a HR ball of anyone I would probably need 1K or I’d rather keep the ball.

 

[Benson]

$10,000, the dude clearly has his head in his ass. I seriously doubt Matt Carson has an extra $10,000 just sitting around to be giving away. 5th round pick in 2002, 7 years in the minors, probably got a decent bonus to sign, maybe 6 figures. Although the rookie minimum is around $400,000 he's not rolling in money after a week in the majors. Lastly, paying a huge sum for a ball gets the ball rolling down a bad path, the money people demand will only grow.

 

[Skillz]

I have no problem with that the fan is doing but what a poor job negotiating. Both parties could have walked away happy ::facepalm::

 

[JzWand]

Would it change peoples viewpoints if they found out this guy just got laid off and has a family to support? Not that he is, but we dont know.

In times where people are losing there homes, I find it absolutely ridiculous that you guys are minimizing the fact that $10K is still A TON of $$$$ to a middle class family.

Last time I checked, banks arent accepting Autographed Matt Carson pictures and bats as payments on your past due mortgage. Pretty sure they will take a cheque from Matt Carson that you sign over to them though.

So he doesnt sell it to Matt now. Maybe next year Carson makes the team and is making $500K and decides $10K aint that much, which it really isnt when you make $500K.

Either way, ethics and douchebagness has aboslutely nothing to do with it. If the guy wants to buy a ball, well hes got to pay what the other party wants.

If you find out that the home you own right now was Derek Jeter's childhood home, and hes interested in buying it because it means a lot to him, will you be fair and sell it to him for fair market value because you liek to be fair? No, you jack that up by 50 - 100% because simply put, you know a) he can afford it, and b) you dont care what is important to another grownup when it comes to your family's wellfare and future.

 

[G $MONEY$]

Thats all fine and dandy but aren't you a lawyer, making the big bucks? Probably living in a big house thats paid for? Drive a nice car? Etc? But what about if you where down on your luck? No job? Your house was going into for closure? You had to pay this months rent? Feed your kids? Would you still have handed the site over to Cole knowing that you could maybe get some money to do your family better? just a hypothetical question...

 

[yakacack]

Thats all fine and dandy but aren't you a lawyer, making the big bucks? Probably living in a big house thats paid for? Drive a nice car? Etc? But what about if you where down on your luck? No job? Your house was going into for closure? You had to pay this months rent? Feed your kids? Would you still have handed the site over to Cole knowing that you could maybe get some money to do your family better? just a hypothetical question...

This is true...I mean everyone knows its much easier to try and pick the bones of another person for their money by selling them a baseball that ultimately means nothing to me (but I'm a big fan of course so thats why I want it...I mean I've followed your career for YEARS). I mean damnit, they make more than I do so why shouldnt they be the ones helping me out!

 

[angelsrockies4ever]

My rant:
Players now a days especially in the majors ignore fans asking for autographs. I witnessed a few months back with then Rockies were in town Todd Helton, Tulo and Atkins standing in the field together, not shagging, just b.sing while about 10 fans waited (no joking that was about it).
Dex came over and spoke to me, which was cool, but the rest of the guys were just ignorning the people. How can you do that? There was probably 2000 people in the stadium!

Atkins has signed at every Rockies game I have been to. Tulo has signed 1/2 the time. Todd signs about once a week from what I hear. I can definitely see how they can do that... Would you just be an autograph-machine if you were in the big leagues?

 

[trademhigh]

That's pretty much extortion.

 

[brouthercard]

The fan is obviously a Dirtbag, but technically, it's his ball now and he can do what he wants with it. I think he's an idiot for wanting that much money for it. He will be looked down upon for blackmailing the ballpllayer.

That's his cost for being "right"- a tarnished reputation and the public's impression of him as not being a friendly or nice guy, a "savage" so to speak.

And those who are defending the actions of that fan have the right to defend him, but it lowers my opinion of you as well.

I think the appropriate compromise would have been perhaps some autographed equipment or some non-monetary token of appreciation from the ballclub/player- that's how a civilized culture would pursue this matter.

And yes, i'm holier than thou.

 

[mchenrycards]

Would it change peoples viewpoints if they found out this guy just got laid off and has a family to support? Not that he is, but we dont know.

In times where people are losing there homes, I find it absolutely ridiculous that you guys are minimizing the fact that $10K is still A TON of $$$$ to a middle class family.

Last time I checked, banks arent accepting Autographed Matt Carson pictures and bats as payments on your past due mortgage. Pretty sure they will take a cheque from Matt Carson that you sign over to them though.

So he doesnt sell it to Matt now. Maybe next year Carson makes the team and is making $500K and decides $10K aint that much, which it really isnt when you make $500K.

Either way, ethics and douchebagness has aboslutely nothing to do with it. If the guy wants to buy a ball, well hes got to pay what the other party wants.

If you find out that the home you own right now was Derek Jeter's childhood home, and hes interested in buying it because it means a lot to him, will you be fair and sell it to him for fair market value because you liek to be fair? No, you jack that up by 50 - 100% because simply put, you know a) he can afford it, and b) you dont care what is important to another grownup when it comes to your family's wellfare and future.

If he is so down on his luck how did he get the tickets to the game???

Why should a baseball player pay for someone else's misfortune??? This certainly is the way our country is shifting....take away from one to take care of someone else. I think our President has started this socialist mentality to take away from the have's and give to the have-nots. Spread the wealth...why not?? I mean come on, there is no way in hell that ballplayer should make so much money and not help someone else with it. He is not a good comrade if he is not willing to give his fortune to someone else!! Welcome to the United States of 2010.

 

[nyc3]

If he is so down on his luck how did he get the tickets to the game???

Why should a baseball player pay for someone else's misfortune??? This certainly is the way our country is shifting....take away from one to take care of someone else. I think our President has started this socialist mentality to take away from the have's and give to the have-nots. Spread the wealth...why not?? I mean come on, there is no way in hell that ballplayer should make so much money and not help someone else with it. He is not a good comrade if he is not willing to give his fortune to someone else!! Welcome to the United States of 2010.

Way to turn it political, I am pretty sure his theory was hypothetical you response on the other hand is paranoia.

 

[nyc3]

Also would like to point out the point of releasing this press release has done its job its made the guy look silly, who cares if they say in it him demanding 10,000 is NOT confirmed. For all we know he wanted $200 or some sick tickets.

 

[Incline Investments]

Baseball players are not paid to sign for fans. They are paid to play baseball. It's their job, no different from anyone else. It's awesome when a player is very fan friendly, but it's just a bonus.

At the same time, fans are not required to do anything either. They catch a ball, they can do whatever they want with it.

 

[JzWand]

If he is so down on his luck how did he get the tickets to the game???

Why should a baseball player pay for someone else's misfortune??? This certainly is the way our country is shifting....take away from one to take care of someone else. I think our President has started this socialist mentality to take away from the have's and give to the have-nots. Spread the wealth...why not?? I mean come on, there is no way in hell that ballplayer should make so much money and not help someone else with it. He is not a good comrade if he is not willing to give his fortune to someone else!! Welcome to the United States of 2010.

Way to turn it political, I am pretty sure his theory was hypothetical you response on the other hand is paranoia.

NYC, thank you for stating the obvious.
McHenry, I agree 100%, but who the hell is taking away from anyone in this case. The guy caught the ball. Its his.
If I own something sentimental to someone else, I expect them to pay a premium for that.

He obviously didnt. And thats okay. But it doesnt make the guy who caught it in any way greedy, immoral, or a scumbag. It makes him a realist.

 

[jay1065]

Why are salaries even in this picture???

Society has gone so far into the crapper that decency has been thrown out the window. I mean come on...this is the guys 1st home run, the team makes a nice offer and the ass wants 10K? whatever happened to being happy that you caught a ball and then getting to meet the player and get some cool stuff. Our society has turned into a bunch of money grubbing, whats in it for me turds. Geez I am really starting to not like a large majority of our population.

So what if the player is making 375K per year. These guys have to make all they can now because the career expectency is next to nothing. Most minor leaguers dont make alot of money and they are surviving on pay that is less than probably most of us make. the wrack up their credit cards to support a family and yes, they play a game for a living 9 months of the year but they still have bills. If they make the league minimum and never get back to the majors that 375K does not really go all that far. After paying taxes, agents and all the other stuff they have to pay, well there isnt a huge sum of oney left. A average major league baseball rookie will not get rich on what he is making. Dont get me wrong..its alot of money but its not the 16 million some of these guys are getting either. If a player like this is lucky enough to stick in the majors, well then he will more than likely do well for himself, but if he goes back to the minors and never gets to sip that cup of coffee again well that money will not go far.

Ok I am rambling and I am not going to defend these guys making 16 million. BUt geez, do the right thing and give the rookie the ball. Its the only decent and right thing to do. What the hell has happened to our country and our society???

You've been thanked!

The fan is a loser of the highest degree. Give the ball back, meet the player, get an auto'ed bat (or whatever was offered,) and share a pretty cool career moment with the player.

 

[mchenrycards]

If he is so down on his luck how did he get the tickets to the game???

Why should a baseball player pay for someone else's misfortune??? This certainly is the way our country is shifting....take away from one to take care of someone else. I think our President has started this socialist mentality to take away from the have's and give to the have-nots. Spread the wealth...why not?? I mean come on, there is no way in hell that ballplayer should make so much money and not help someone else with it. He is not a good comrade if he is not willing to give his fortune to someone else!! Welcome to the United States of 2010.

Way to turn it political, I am pretty sure his theory was hypothetical you response on the other hand is paranoia.

Paranoia??? No

Just sick of the me "1st mentality" that is taking over this society!!!

 

[Penno]

That's pretty much extortion.

Or capitalism if you choose not to demonize the guy. It's still a dick move regardless.

 

[gregbara]

I would give the kid the ball, but honestly I know where the fan is coming from, I didn't read the article, but can say players are pretty ****** towards their fans, so, should they expect their fans to be any different ?

Like I said I would give him the ball, but players should realize they should at least be more friendly with fans. Most just stand on the field talking with each other, doing nothing, but won't come sign a few autos. I mean really, what is the big deal.