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

[marzomarz]

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

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?

[flota89]

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

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.

[schubert1970]

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

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]

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

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

[legaleagle92481]

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

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?

[jshortt]

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

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

[schubert1970]

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

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.

[CollectGU]

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

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.

[legaleagle92481]

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

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?

[BostonSportsFan]

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

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

[schubert1970]

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

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.

[CollectGU]

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

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.....

[frikativ54]

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

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.

[SaintsGeaux]

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

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.

[CollectGU]

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

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.