Zeppistan
07-01-2005, 18:09
We've seen it before. People all lined up to be the one to catch McGuire's big homer to sell the ball on eBay. People willing to scuffle for their chance at the lottery. And then some other dufus with more money than brains paying them $3Million for their efforts.
I don't understand the reason people value these things so highly. The "this is THE ball that <insert some steroid addicted egomaniac here> hit to break <insert some record that is - in the great scheme of things - completely unimportant>" mentality.
But it is out there.
And given that there are people willing to pay stupid amounts of money for silly objects, it's not much wonder that there are poor working stiffs who see the dollar signs in their eyes when the opportunity presents itself.
But it's getting silly. Now we have the Boston Red Socks fighting with their first baseman - a "poor working stiff" who ONLY earned $4.5 Million on the last two years of his contract - over the ownership of the ball he caught (tossed to him underhand no less) to get the out that broke the curse to win the World Series. (http://sports.sympatico.msn.ca/Home/ContentPosting.aspx?feedname=CP-AllSports&newsitemid=18793018) He kept it. They want it for their museum to show to the fans.
MLB says he owns it. The Red Sox disagree. And his position is one of lofty morals as says that he want to hold onto it to make a quick buck. Or, in his own words:
"I know this ball has a lot of sentimental value," Mientkiewicz said. "I hope I don't have to use it for the money. It would be cool if we have kids someday to have it stay in our family for a long time. But I can be bought. I'm thinking, there's four years at Florida State for one of my kids. At least."
And multi-millinaire players wonder why they get so much less respect than they used to from the fans that pay their salaries.....
I don't understand the reason people value these things so highly. The "this is THE ball that <insert some steroid addicted egomaniac here> hit to break <insert some record that is - in the great scheme of things - completely unimportant>" mentality.
But it is out there.
And given that there are people willing to pay stupid amounts of money for silly objects, it's not much wonder that there are poor working stiffs who see the dollar signs in their eyes when the opportunity presents itself.
But it's getting silly. Now we have the Boston Red Socks fighting with their first baseman - a "poor working stiff" who ONLY earned $4.5 Million on the last two years of his contract - over the ownership of the ball he caught (tossed to him underhand no less) to get the out that broke the curse to win the World Series. (http://sports.sympatico.msn.ca/Home/ContentPosting.aspx?feedname=CP-AllSports&newsitemid=18793018) He kept it. They want it for their museum to show to the fans.
MLB says he owns it. The Red Sox disagree. And his position is one of lofty morals as says that he want to hold onto it to make a quick buck. Or, in his own words:
"I know this ball has a lot of sentimental value," Mientkiewicz said. "I hope I don't have to use it for the money. It would be cool if we have kids someday to have it stay in our family for a long time. But I can be bought. I'm thinking, there's four years at Florida State for one of my kids. At least."
And multi-millinaire players wonder why they get so much less respect than they used to from the fans that pay their salaries.....