Young Fan Wins Lawsuit for Ryan Howard's 200th Career Home Run Ball

[Renew Deal]

Back in July, when the Phillies' Ryan Howard hit his 200th career home run, it was noteworthy because he achieved the milestone in fewer games than anyone in major league history.

And now it's noteworthy for another reason: 12-year-old Jennifer Valdivia, who ended up with the historic ball, was ushered to the Phillies clubhouse after the game to exchange it for an autographed one. Her mother sued the organization and now Jennifer has Howard's 200th home run ball back in her possession.

"My ball,'' Jennifer beamed, according to the Miami Herald. "I have it, finally.''
<snip>

http://backporch.fanhouse.com/2009/10/08/fans-wins-lawsuit-for-ryan-howards-200th-career-home-run-ball

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duDHpxmztvs

[PRETZEL]

1. And the bidding will start tomorrow,

ebay's going to be flooded.

This is better than hitting Power Ball.

[brendan120678]

2. Well, it should be her ball...unless she willingly gave it up

for the autographed one.

And really, it isn't all that historically significant. Lots of players have 200 career home runs. Big deal.

[LisaM]

3. I can never make up my mind on these things

I would like to think that if I caught a ball that meant a lot to a player, I would politely hand it over and say, "congratulations, here is your ball" (not that I've ever had the chance). But on the other hand, if it goes into the stands, it's supposedly the property of whomever caught it.

The way we were raised, we would have handed it over, no question. We would never extort for more than they were offering, and we would never have sold something that personally meant a lot to another person for profit (even though we were far from rich). I'm a little surprised that she was at a game with no parents around when she was 12 - doesn't that seem kind of weird? But if she really had no parents there, the Phillies shouldn't have made any agreement with her without someone who was of legal age to speak for her.

[petronius]

4. I think about that every time one of these milestone balls gets discussed

It always seems a bit seedy to profit from something that only has value due to someone else's achievement, so I like to think I'd give it to the player. But I don't really know what I'd do - I'm easily tempted and I can always rationalize that athletes are rich and the guy that hit it can bid on the ball like everyone else...

[LisaM]

5. Most teams will give you something that's worth way more than the ball

Jerseys, game tickets, etc. So really, you're getting something out of it. Far more than the dollar value of the ball itself. If it was a foul ball, it'd end up in a junk box.

[petronius]

6. That would be fair - I'm sure I'd feel better about myself (in a poor but noble way) if

I gave a ball back, but it would be nice to have something material so I didn't lie awake at night wondering if I was a total sap... :)

[LisaM]

7. Poor but noble - love it!

It reminds me of a book I read where the main character wrote for a (fictional) late night competitor of "Saturday Night Live" called "Taped, But Proud".