Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012

[schubert1970]

First of all, I would have posted this sooner, but I wanted to have the ball in hand and the day I received the ball I left for a vacation with my family.

I happen to be on the phone with a friend who used to frequent this site (Steve Mears) while the Ranger game was on TV and we were talking about my Josh Hamilton 2008 road jersey I picked up off ebay and how I was able to photomatch it to the front of a Sports Illustrated.

I was telling Steve how much I like Hamilton and how he had hit a home run in the game tonight in Baltimore already. Just then, BANG! He hits ANOTHER one. A kid (over 18 years of age) caught the ball and they were showing a close up shot of him on TV.

Just then I was thinking wow, I actually have a friend who's at the game tonight in Baltimore. Steve asked if I could call or e-mail him. Steve was telling me WHAT IF Josh Hamiltonhits 4 home runs tonight??" I was like "Yeah, that won't happen, but having an authentic home run ball of his to display with my Sports Illustrated cover photomatched jersey SURE would be cool!" Also, this was his third home run in a row if you count the home run from the previous night. Steve insisted I e-mail my friend and give it a shot. As he said, what's the chance of having this opportunity again, a friend at a game all the way across the states, where a guy I collect hit a home run in a multi-homer game? AND, I can identify the fan who caught the ball?

So I e-mailed my friend we then connected over the phone. Luckily for me, I had Tevo'd the game.I rewound it to the close up of the kid, clicked a screen shot picture of him,emailed it to my friend's cell phone and asked him to "GO FIND" this kid where Josh hit the home run. He said he'd give it a shot.

About 10 minutes goes by, and my phone rings. It's my friend at the game. HE FOUND THIS KID, PROUDLY CLINGING ONTO THAT HAMILTON HOME RUN BALL. My friend knew about how much I would offer so he negotiated a cash deal for the ball. Then my friend, knowing that having proof was paramount, drew up a letter of affidavit and took some pictures of the kid's ID and the ball. HE GOT THE BALL FOR ME!!! His second home run of the night.

Then, the truly incredible part happened. Or so I thought. While my friend was having this kid sign the letter to finish the deal, Josh Hamilton hit a THIRD home run. Now it was a seriously good night, having one of his home runs from a three home run game!

So after my friend calls me and tells me "It's a done deal, I have yourhome run ball for you", I called back Steve. I told him what I had pulled off on his suggestion. He again jumped at me with "BILL, it's the 8th inning and Baltimore can't keep the Rangers off the bases. HAMILTON WILL GET UPONE MORE TIME IN THE TOP OF THE NINTH. HOLD YOUR BREATH. IF HE HITS ANOTHER HOME RUN, YOU'LL HAVE A MAJOR PIECE OF HISTORY!"

I laughed it off and figured again, what are the odds? Forget it. In any case,I was Tevo'ing the game so I would have it on tape. We weren't watching every second of the game, and lost track of the time.

Then suddenly my phone rings. I missed the call. I saw it was Steve. My heart started beating. I quickly hit redial thinking something happened, otherwise WHY would he be calling me back?

The last thing I remember is the ringing in my ears as he answered, screaming in my ear "YOU CRAZY LUCKY (enter a word that closely rhymes with"bass" and "heard"), JOSH HAMILTON HIT A SIDE-ARMED 0-2 PITCH OVER THE CENTER FIELD WALL!!! HE DID IT!!! YOU HAVE A PIECE OF HISTORY!!!!"

I can't wait to get this ball and take it to a signing one day and have Josh Hamilton sign it for me in person. I will tell him what it is, and show him allof the proof. I can't wait to hear his reaction. I'm simply numb, on cloudnine.

This whole thing ranks up there with my Rose bat. A bit of luck never hurts.

The first two pics were taken just before the bill of sale was signed (4th or 5th inning).
The last two pics are when I received the ball and bill of sale.

I blacked out the name and ID of the seller.

[schubert1970]

One last thing I forgot to mention. When I received the ball, I saw a huge dirt mark on the side panel. Much darker looking than from the initial pics I received.

I watched the at bat again and just before the home run, the O's catcher tried to pick off the runner at first and threw the ball into the dirt, then it skipped off the bag. I guess the pitcher or ump never asked to replace the ball.

[marino13]

It's a great story!

As far as paper works and hi-res pictures from the "act of catching that HR baseball" - those are all good and so forth. But, there will be doubt!


(for having season ticket at Yankee stadium - field level outfield) I know more than enough fans and close friends who have HR baseball in their possession - Arod, Jeter, Cano, Posada and so forth. Most of them think they have valuable item on hand - to some extend, they do. But then again, it is all hearsay to everybody else.


it is a sad truth but that exactly what it is.


When are they going to put authenticator in the stand where potential HR baseballs will be landed? I know I would pay premium for those!


(And yes, I know the Tigers are the only team so far who are authenticating HR baseballs)

[Rob L]

Incredibe piece of history! Congrats. A collection centerpiece. I have one of only seven authenticated baseballs thrown by Randy Johnson for his 300th win which is a centerpiece of my collection!

Congrats again.

[schubert1970]

It's a great story!

As far as paper works and hi-res pictures from the "act of catching that HR baseball" - those are all good and so forth. But, there will be doubt!


(for having season ticket at Yankee stadium - field level outfield) I know more than enough fans and close friends who have HR baseball in their possession - Arod, Jeter, Cano, Posada and so forth. Most of them think they have valuable item on hand - to some extend, they do. But then again, it is all hearsay to everybody else.


it is a sad truth but that exactly what it is.


When are they going to put authenticator in the stand where potential HR baseballs will be landed? I know I would pay premium for those!


(And yes, I know the Tigers are the only team so far who are authenticating HR baseballs)

I guess your right, but you could doubt the guy putting the holo on the ball didn't placed it on the right ball and pocketed the real ball. You can add doubt to most any game used items.

Here are a few cool Getty pics of the second home run. You can see the dirt stain and a blurry image of the Oriole logo on the ball.

[schubert1970]

Incredibe piece of history! Congrats. A collection centerpiece. I have one of only seven authenticated baseballs thrown by Randy Johnson for his 300th win which is a centerpiece of my collection!

Congrats again.



Thanks! It's definitely going to stay as the centerpiece of my collectionfor a long time.

[schubert1970]

Someone asked me to post a pic of the ball showing the Oriole 20th anniversary logo.

[salmon]

Nice, I'm curious to know why the boy if he was proudly clinging on to it, decided to sell it. Hope he wasn't coerced into letting it go.

[schubert1970]

Nice, I'm curious to know why the boy if he was proudly clinging on to it, decided to sell it. Hope he wasn't coerced into letting it go.

I wasn't going to get into the purchase price, but it should answer you question. He knew the ball at the time was worth about 1k and was willing to sell around price which is why he was so excited. I offered him $500 and he countered with $1,500. We then agreed to $800. At the time we agreed on the price and I made the purchase I believe this was about market value for a hr ball. At least this was my gut feeling. I did know he would hit two more homers later in the game.

[swainer]

Nice work getting this ball!!! Initially, I thought I read that Josh had the other three but I checked again today and all I can find is he has #3 and #4. Maybe you can convince him that #2 misses it's "brothers" and need to be reunited. Then track down #1 and you have the master set! Loan it out to the Hall of Fame...take it on tour with Josh...your options are endless!

Congrats on tracking it down! Technology is such a wonderful thing, huh?

John

[schubert1970]

Nice work getting this ball!!! Initially, I thought I read that Josh had the other three but I checked again today and all I can find is he has #3 and #4. Maybe you can convince him that #2 misses it's "brothers" and need to be reunited. Then track down #1 and you have the master set! Loan it out to the Hall of Fame...take it on tour with Josh...your options are endless!

Congrats on tracking it down! Technology is such a wonderful thing, huh?

John

You're 100 percent correct about the technology used to pull this off. Than God for my IPhone and a friend willing to take the time to help me

[marino13]

I guess your right, but you could doubt the guy putting the holo on the ball didn't placed it on the right ball and pocketed the real ball. You can add doubt to most any game used items.

Here are a few cool Getty pics of the second home run. You can see the dirt stain and a blurry image of the Oriole logo on the ball.


I know that authenticator can be lazy at times but adding "fraud" to the equation, now that is something I have not seen (two different items with the exact milestone).


$500 was more fair for the baseball - I paid $300 and $200 for a HR baseball from Arod (during his 600th chase) and Jeter, respectively.


Along with the HR baseball, I also have the ticket stub, security's affidavit as he witnessed as such, a hi-res video image from the celebration AND the sellers ARE my friends! I dont have any intention to sell these HR baseballs but when I have a chance to get them signed at a later date, that would be a cool story to tell.

[schubert1970]

I know that authenticator can be lazy at times but adding "fraud" to the equation, now that is something I have not seen (two different items with the exact milestone).


$500 was more fair for the baseball - I paid $300 and $200 for a HR baseball from Arod (during his 600th chase) .

I actually paid him $800. Which I think was a fair price.

[joecoco]

Wow! Congrats on the pick-up. I like the uniqueness of the Camden Yard logo. Awesome!

-Joe

[swainer]

You're 100 percent correct about the technology used to pull this off. Than God for my IPhone and a friend willing to take the time to help me

I'm sure you're more than happy to by your friend a beer or three for getting the deal done! I would have been worried once #3 and #4 left the yard, the kid would have wanted more. Even with signing the document. I'm assuming your buddy didn't have $800 on him. Or did he go to the ATM?

Great story!!!

[schubert1970]

I'm sure you're more than happy to by your friend a beer or three for getting the deal done! I would have been worried once #3 and #4 left the yard, the kid would have wanted more. Even with signing the document. I'm assuming your buddy didn't have $800 on him. Or did he go to the ATM?

Great story!!!

Thank god for pay pal.

[SaintsGeaux]

Nice, I'm curious to know why the boy if he was proudly clinging on to it, decided to sell it. Hope he wasn't coerced into letting it go.

I live in Maryland and travel to some O's games. The "boy" in question is no boy. He is a agressive ball hawk. He catches BP home run balls and game home run balls with regularity and has no problem pushing his way in front of ticket holders to catch the ball. When he started doing this years ago he was a boy and wondered where his parents were.

If I buy a ticket to the game and the ball heads to my seat I expect those with tickets around me have equal rights to the ball not a kid running from a different section who is doing it for poaching.

[marino13]

I live in Maryland and travel to some O's games. The "boy" in question is no boy. He is a agressive ball hawk. He catches BP home run balls and game home run balls with regularity and has no problem pushing his way in front of ticket holders to catch the ball. When he started doing this years ago he was a boy and wondered where his parents were.

If I buy a ticket to the game and the ball heads to my seat I expect those with tickets around me have equal rights to the ball not a kid running from a different section who is doing it for poaching.


That would not be happening at the new Yankee stadium. I had seen security confiscated the HR baseball from people who were not belong in the section. They verified it with the ticket presented. And when the ticket doesnt match up, they would be consider as trespass and that's that.


I am with you when it comes to "rights for all in the same section" not those sneaking in!

:D

[swainer]

Thank god for pay pal.

Didn't even think of that. Again, technology getting the job done!!!

[ncbadges]

You have a priceless piece of history...especially to us Hamilton fans!

CONGRATS bro.!!

ncb

[schubert1970]

I wasn't going to get into the purchase price, but it should answer you question. He knew the ball at the time was worth about 1k and was willing to sell around price which is why he was so excited. I offered him $500 and he countered with $1,500. We then agreed to $800. At the time we agreed on the price and I made the purchase I believe this was about market value for a hr ball. At least this was my gut feeling. I did know he would hit two more homers later in the game.

I ment to say didn't know he would hit two more homers.

[swainer]

That would not be happening at the new Yankee stadium. I had seen security confiscated the HR baseball from people who were not belong in the section. They verified it with the ticket presented. And when the ticket doesnt match up, they would be consider as trespass and that's that.


I am with you when it comes to "rights for all in the same section" not those sneaking in!

:D

You've really seen a ball confiscated like that before? Did they give it to someone else in the section or just keep it? Wow. I'm amazed they would do that. I think it is great but still amazed.

John

[Jags Fan Dan]

You've really seen a ball confiscated like that before? Did they give it to someone else in the section or just keep it? Wow. I'm amazed they would do that. I think it is great but still amazed.

John
This is hearsay, but on talk radio here in Cincinnati a guy called in and said that he saw someone hop over onto the grass where Votto's walk-off grand slam landed and grab the ball. The caller said security escorted the guy out and took the ball from him. Of course, that's a little different because he left the stands...

[marino13]

You've really seen a ball confiscated like that before? Did they give it to someone else in the section or just keep it? Wow. I'm amazed they would do that. I think it is great but still amazed.

John


When the person being escorted out of the section for trespass, they confiscate the baseball and that was all I saw.

what happened to the baseball? Nobody knows!


(but I did see police officer pocketed the HR baseball from the people who jump over to the "bleachers black seats" to snatch the homerun ball. They were ejected and the baseball was confiscated --- at the old yankee stadium)

[SaintsGeaux]

I know that authenticator can be lazy at times but adding "fraud" to the equation, now that is something I have not seen (two different items with the exact milestone).


$500 was more fair for the baseball - I paid $300 and $200 for a HR baseball from Arod (during his 600th chase)

I just watched the HR on my MLB.TV subscription. The guy grabs the ball and throws one on the field. Are you nervous you were duped? It looks like some other guy hands him a ball to throw back.

Never seen a HR ball with a dirt smudge unless it landed in the bullpen. I did rewind to confirm the throw to 1st by the catcher but if Im negotiating sight unseen I would have been nervous.

If Hamilton hits no more HRs in the game the ball in my mind isn't worth much more than a $100 it 2.

Marino, you paid $200 for a Jeter HR ball and $300 for a ARod HR ball which sounds about right given the uncertainty on Authenticity.

I would have given $100 tops for the Hamilton at the time. Too much doubt until you can research. Now given the historically significant events, and Schuberts research, it looks solid.
Congrats Schubert1970

[SaintsGeaux]

Schubert1970, I am still amazed and love your photos and due diligence however I would have been nervous at the time about the huge dirt mark and a switcheroo. Were you nervous you were being duped by this guy? Consider most game used MLB Hologramed balls are balls in the dirt. Glad you got a copy of his ID with photo to go with the game film.

[frikativ54]

I live in Maryland and travel to some O's games. The "boy" in question is no boy. He is a agressive ball hawk. He catches BP home run balls and game home run balls with regularity and has no problem pushing his way in front of ticket holders to catch the ball. When he started doing this years ago he was a boy and wondered where his parents were.

If I buy a ticket to the game and the ball heads to my seat I expect those with tickets around me have equal rights to the ball not a kid running from a different section who is doing it for poaching.

Forgive me, but I am really confused. First you say he's no boy, but then you call him a kid. How old is he? :confused:

[SaintsGeaux]

Forgive me, but I am really confused. First you say he's no boy, but then you call him a kid. How old is he? :confused:

In the video he looks under 25. I'm not much older and while Im a kid I am also technically an adult.

In Schubert1970s 3rd paragraph he says "A kid (over 18 years of age)". That's all we need to know. Legally an adult. I'm not questioning that.

At the time his friend was handed that ball, I would have been nervous that I was being duped with that dirt mark. People rip off other people in this hobby all the time.

I am convinced it was the right ball because in the last 10 minutes I spoke to a friend I met in collecting who actually knows the kid who git the ball and he told me that he threw back his friends ball that was actually autographed because thats all he had and last night marked the 14th HR he caught.

[frikativ54]

In the video he looks under 25. I'm not much older and while Im a kid I am also technically an adult.

In Schubert1970s 3rd paragraph he says "A kid (over 18 years of age)". That's all we need to know. Legally an adult. I'm not questioning that.

Thanks for the clarification. Makes more sense to me now. :)

[SaintsGeaux]

Thanks for the clarification. Makes more sense to me now. :)

Anytime. It's a cool story as Josh Hamilton is one of the greatest ongoing stories in baseball.

[schubert1970]

Schubert1970, I am still amazed and love your photos and due diligence however I would have been nervous at the time about the huge dirt mark and a switcheroo. Were you nervous you were being duped by this guy? Consider most game used MLB Hologramed balls are balls in the dirt. Glad you got a copy of his ID with photo to go with the game film.


I didn't really care about the dirt mark till I received the ball and watched the at bat again and saw what happened before the HR. Now it makes perfect sense.

As for him throwing a ball back at least from the video I can tell the ball he threw back had a bunch of writing on it. This was also verified by the usher as this guy seems to do this regularly. I guess he doesn't want the home crowd getting on his case if he keeps an opponent’s home run ball.

[schubert1970]

Thanks for the clarification. Makes more sense to me now. :)

I guess he's a kid depending on our own ages. The older I get 18 seems to look younger and younger.

[SaintsGeaux]

That would not be happening at the new Yankee stadium. I had seen security confiscated the HR baseball from people who were not belong in the section. They verified it with the ticket presented. And when the ticket doesnt match up, they would be consider as trespass and that's that.


I am with you when it comes to "rights for all in the same section" not those sneaking in!

:D

Watching last nights video. This is unreal. Same kid in last nights game in the 2nd inning sprints down about 10 rows, knocks into a Yankees fan, and goes 2 seats into the row and jumps in front of 2 more fans to grab an Adam Jones HR. The camera pulls away so not sure how it all ended up.

[marino13]

I just watched the HR on my MLB.TV subscription. The guy grabs the ball and throws one on the field. Are you nervous you were duped? It looks like some other guy hands him a ball to throw back.

Never seen a HR ball with a dirt smudge unless it landed in the bullpen. I did rewind to confirm the throw to 1st by the catcher but if Im negotiating sight unseen I would have been nervous.

If Hamilton hits no more HRs in the game the ball in my mind isn't worth much more than a $100 it 2.

Marino, you paid $200 for a Jeter HR ball and $300 for a ARod HR ball which sounds about right given the uncertainty on Authenticity.

I would have given $100 tops for the Hamilton at the time. Too much doubt until you can research. Now given the historically significant events, and Schuberts research, it looks solid.
Congrats Schubert1970


Yup!

After the handshake agreement of the price and exchange of the baseball, I also draft up a quick "authenticity / affidavit" letter which included three signatures - the security for the area, the person who caught the HR ball and Me (the new owner of the ball).

If there were marking on the ball, we would have taken pictures of them but like most - it just look minor scruff up where the bat meet the baseball.

Now I am getting these letters draft in advance just in case a sale is happening.

[CollectGU]

In the video he looks under 25. I'm not much older and while Im a kid I am also technically an adult.

In Schubert1970s 3rd paragraph he says "A kid (over 18 years of age)". That's all we need to know. Legally an adult. I'm not questioning that.

At the time his friend was handed that ball, I would have been nervous that I was being duped with that dirt mark. People rip off other people in this hobby all the time.


I don't understand the whole idea of being duped by another ball. With regards to non MLB authenticated HR balls, the provenance is the key. Even if he changed it, his letter and provenance would basically make the "changed ball" the one that has value. The "real" ball would have no value because he gave the provenance away to the changed ball, effectibely making it worthless.

[SaintsGeaux]

I don't understand the whole idea of being duped by another ball. With regards to non MLB authenticated HR balls, the provenance is the key. Even if he changed it, his letter and provenance would basically make the "changed ball" the one that has value. The "real" ball would have no value because he gave the provenance away to the changed ball, effectibely making it worthless.

All great points. I think the photo and video evidence backs up the dirt mark to similar location on the ball.

[frikativ54]

I don't understand the whole idea of being duped by another ball. With regards to non MLB authenticated HR balls, the provenance is the key. Even if he changed it, his letter and provenance would basically make the "changed ball" the one that has value. The "real" ball would have no value because he gave the provenance away to the changed ball, effectibely making it worthless.

I would respectively disagree. If a fake jersey has provenance, it is still a fake jersey and can be proven as such at a later date. The same is the case with a fake home run baseball. Videos and photos might be able to prove it as a fake at a later date too. JMO, but fake balls are worthless, no matter what kind of a letter they come with.

[CollectGU]

I would respectively disagree. If a fake jersey has provenance, it is still a fake jersey and can be proven as such at a later date. The same is the case with a fake home run baseball. Videos and photos might be able to prove it as a fake at a later date too. JMO, but fake balls are worthless, no matter what kind of a letter they come with.


You are missing my point, by changing the ball and adding a letter to the changed ball, he would have been effectively making the real ball worthless.....

[schubert1970]

You are missing my point, by changing the ball and adding a letter to the changed ball, he would have been effectively making the real ball worthless.....

Perfectly said.

[BostonSportsFan]

It looks like Schubert got lucky here and got a really nice piece. I personally would not pay that much for a ball in this case unless the MLB authenticator was sitting right there and slapped a hologram on the ball and I was able to then obtain it from the fan. Almost too risky as there is just not enough time to do your due diligence.

At least in this case Schubert was able to get those high res images and match this up. Imagine if in any of these situations the person that caught the ball did a switcharoo to you and gave you a fake ball. Again, in this case with the high res Schubert grabbed a great piece and who would have ever guessed that two more homers would have come out of this.

Joe

[legaleagle92481]

You are missing my point, by changing the ball and adding a letter to the changed ball, he would have been effectively making the real ball worthless.....

Hows that? Why couldn't someone just write a second letter?

[CollectGU]

Hows that? Why couldn't someone just write a second letter?

why stop there, why not just buy some MLB mud rub up some balls and write 10 letters then ....I'm going under the assumption that the person is not willing to get caught commitng outright fraud.

[schubert1970]

It looks like Schubert got lucky here and got a really nice piece. I personally would not pay that much for a ball in this case unless the MLB authenticator was sitting right there and slapped a hologram on the ball and I was able to then obtain it from the fan. Almost too risky as there is just not enough time to do your due diligence.
Joe

The main reason I wanted and paid this much for the ball is because this was actually his third home run in a row if you count the homer from the previous night in the 9th inning. If that hadn't been the case I don't know if I would have even wanted it. Like you said I had no idea he was going to hit two more homers. Just dumb luck.

[jshortt]

This is hearsay, but on talk radio here in Cincinnati a guy called in and said that he saw someone hop over onto the grass where Votto's walk-off grand slam landed and grab the ball. The caller said security escorted the guy out and took the ball from him. Of course, that's a little different because he left the stands...


That is EXACTLY what happened. My season tickets are in the next section over. The guy missed Votto's granny on the initial swipe, and then decided to hop the divider fence onto the berm to grab the ball. As soon as he hopped the fence back into his row, security was waiting for him. The first thing they did was take the ball from him before escorting him away. The Reds DID get the ball back and authenticated it. Initially it was supposed to be auctioned off, but I believe the Reds decided to keep it.

I have a few friends that are ushers/security, and they have ALL told me, without exception, that they are told the first thing they are supposed to do is confiscate the ball. An extra little "F You" to the person for breaking the rules.

-Josh

[legaleagle92481]

why stop there, why not just buy some MLB mud rub up some balls and write 10 letters then ....I'm going under the assumption that the person is not willing to get caught commitng outright fraud.

In this hobby when has that ever stopped anyone before?

[flota89]

There is mention of the 2nd home run ball on this website:

mygameballs.com

Looks like the guy that came up with it catches quite a few baseballs.

Nice pickup!

-Tyler

[schubert1970]

Wow! I had no idea that site existed. Thanks for posting!!!

Looks like the "kid" is a pro and dang good at it.

Bill

[flota89]

He is. I had been reading up on some of his past home run catches. He has some impressive baseballs. I wonder if yours is the only he has sold? You should be able to contact him through that site I'd imagine.

[marzomarz]

That is EXACTLY what happened. My season tickets are in the next section over. The guy missed Votto's granny on the initial swipe, and then decided to hop the divider fence onto the berm to grab the ball. As soon as he hopped the fence back into his row, security was waiting for him. The first thing they did was take the ball from him before escorting him away. The Reds DID get the ball back and authenticated it. Initially it was supposed to be auctioned off, but I believe the Reds decided to keep it.

I have a few friends that are ushers/security, and they have ALL told me, without exception, that they are told the first thing they are supposed to do is confiscate the ball. An extra little "F You" to the person for breaking the rules.

-Josh

That is complete insanity. Stadium security aren't police and they have no legal right to search you. They can kick you out of the stadium and certainly they could call the police but they can't hold you until the police arrive. And what would they tell the police anyways - he is holding stolen property but it is something that was hit or thrown into the stands?

[schubert1970]

Just got back my Hamilton home run ball from the May 8th game and game used SI cover jersey from 2008 this morning signed by the man himself. Josh is one great guy and he made a special notation on my ball for me.

Also, both items received an mlb holo.

Just as a side note, the reason I get on my anti-arod kick is because I had Aroids 585 home run ball and asked him to make a notation on it. Aroid wanted not only wanted the 300 I paid for his signature but another 2k for the notation. Josh and his agent didn't try to get more money from me.

[bxbomber13]

Just got back my Hamilton home run ball from the May 8th game and game used SI cover jersey from 2008 this morning signed by the man himself. Josh is one great guy and he made a special notation on my ball for me.

Also, both items received an mlb holo.

Just as a side note, the reason I get on my anti-arod kick is because I had Aroids 585 home run ball and asked him to make a notation on it. Aroid wanted not only wanted the 300 I paid for his signature but another 2k for the notation. Josh and his agent didn't try to get more money from me.

Congrats my man, that is an amizing piece of history you have there. :D

[MLB~NUT]

A radio station interviewed Hamilton and didnt carevtoo much about the two home run balls he had from the four hr game as when asked what he'd do with them he told the radio personalities he' put them in a closet or give them to his kids to play with in the yard!!!:p I guess he values G U baseballs as much as I do, lol...

[5toolplayer]

Just got back my Hamilton home run ball from the May 8th game and game used SI cover jersey from 2008 this morning signed by the man himself. Josh is one great guy and he made a special notation on my ball for me.

Also, both items received an mlb holo.

Just as a side note, the reason I get on my anti-arod kick is because I had Aroids 585 home run ball and asked him to make a notation on it. Aroid wanted not only wanted the 300 I paid for his signature but another 2k for the notation. Josh and his agent didn't try to get more money from me.


Good job brother!! Did u get it all auto'd at a signing?? Unreal story with a great ending. I got some Hamilton stuff I'm moving when I get home so you better buy up some on it. hahaha

[schubert1970]

Good job brother!! Did u get it all auto'd at a signing?? Unreal story with a great ending. I got some Hamilton stuff I'm moving when I get home so you better buy up some on it. hahaha

All in one sitting. Don't know if I'll be able to buy any of your items since the wallet is running light. Just picked up a game used base from the game too. Hope to get Josh to inscribe it too.

[schubert1970]

Got my game used base in the mail today. This was 2nd base used from the 4th inning thru the 9th inning during his 4 home run game.

I've never bought a base before, but since this was also used to set the ALtotal bases record I thought it had some significance.

When I have Josh sign and inscribe this, should I wash off some of the dirt,or can it still be autographed???? Any ideas would be appreciated.

[gnishiyama]

Got my game used base in the mail today. This was 2nd base used from the 4th inning thru the 9th inning during his 4 home run game.

I've never bought a base before, but since this was also used to set the ALtotal bases record I thought it had some significance.

When I have Josh sign and inscribe this, should I wash off some of the dirt,or can it still be autographed???? Any ideas would be appreciated.


Looks like it fits your stool perfectly! Why don't you get it covered up
professionally and use it as your stool!

All jokes aside I would never wash off the dirt. Autos on bases
never come out great no matter what. To me the signature adds value
and the "wow" factor but truthfully it really doesn't do much aesthetically.
Get it signed nice and big, centered somewhere above the middle logo
area.

[emann]

When I have Josh sign and inscribe this, should I wash off some of the dirt,or can it still be autographed???? Any ideas would be appreciated.

Nice base. Honestly, almost all the auto'd bases I've seen in person look bad. The bumpy surface tends to make most player's writing sloppy. If he's got a small, tight signature or handwriting it will look even worse.

I would consider having him sign one of the side jewels as opposed to the top. You could get a full inscription on there in an opaque ink (like a paint pen), something that covers the logo/etc and still be able to display to show the auto (like flat on a desk or table). Or even have him auto the side, less dirt and if he screws it up or you hate it, it won't ruin the base for you.

I'd also suggest not cleaning dirt off, no matter how well you do it, it will probably look unnatural.

I own a couple milestone bases also and did alot of looking into getting specific base signed. In the end I decided that this player's handwriting (and examples of his signed bases I'd seen) would have a pretty high chance of turning out bad, so I kept it unsigned with a photo from the game next to it (which I will probably have him sign at some point).

[schubert1970]

What about having him sign underneath the base? It's a smooth surface and cleaning it would be easy without effecting the looks of it. This was done before the placement of the hologram on the corner.

[cliffjmp33]

Thinking outside the box on the base, but would it be worth finding a photo (either Getty/AP or MLBTV screengrab) from when he is rounding/touching the bag and have Josh sign that?

Just a different idea, feel free to tell me it's a dumb one!

[schubert1970]

Thinking outside the box on the base, but would it be worth finding a photo (either Getty/AP or MLBTV screengrab) from when he is rounding/touching the bag and have Josh sign that?

Just a different idea, feel free to tell me it's a dumb one!

Good idea, I'll see what I can find.

[jshortt]

From personal experience, Hambone knows how to sign a base. I have one from his mlb debut and he knocked it out of the park. Be sure to get a "King Size" black Sharpie (the kind With the grey/silver/chrome, metal barrel) and send that with the base. It has a giant, thick chisel point and for whatever reason, just works on bases. Nice and bold. You won't be disappointed.

-J

[schubert1970]

From personal experience, Hambone knows how to sign a base. I have one from his mlb debut and he knocked it out of the park. Be sure to get a "King Size" black Sharpie (the kind With the grey/silver/chrome, metal barrel) and send that with the base. It has a giant, thick chisel point and for whatever reason, just works on bases. Nice and bold. You won't be disappointed.

-J

Can you post or email a pic of your base to me?

[nycpropain]

I don't understand the whole idea of being duped by another ball. With regards to non MLB authenticated HR balls, the provenance is the key. Even if he changed it, his letter and provenance would basically make the "changed ball" the one that has value. The "real" ball would have no value because he gave the provenance away to the changed ball, effectibely making it worthless.

Or in 10 years he could claim the other is fake and that he had nothing to do with that ball. Making the second possibly BP ball "worthless" again.

[schubert1970]

Or in 10 years he could claim the other is fake and that he had nothing to do with that ball. Making the second possibly BP ball "worthless" again.

Shame on the guy who bought the BP ball to begin with since I don't believe those are rubbed with mud.