Big Dumper: The Thread

[Déjà Bru]

From The Athletic:

Mariners looking for fan who gave valuable Cal Raleigh 60th home run ball to nearby child

By Larry Holder



A Seattle Mariners fan snagged Cal Raleigh’s 60th home run ball after Wednesday night at T-Mobile Park and did what might be unthinkable. The man simply gave away the ball — potentially worth six figures on the open market — to a child near him in the right field stands.

It was a far cry from the Phillies fan who took a home run ball away from a child earlier this month.

The boy who ended up with the baseball and his father were then taken away by security to have the ball authenticated. Mariners media relations told The Athletic that the boy traded the ball for a bat signed by Raleigh and has been invited to attend batting practice on the field at a future game.

But the Mariners are also hunting for the man who awarded the ball to the child. Social media posts quickly popped up expressing appreciation for the man. So much so that the Mariners have made a public plea to find the unidentified man.

Mariners senior manager of communications Adam Gresch posted on X: “The Mariners would love to get in contact with this incredible fan. If you know him, please DM!”



As of Thursday afternoon, the Mariners haven’t been in touch with the man who originally snagged the baseball.

This isn’t the first time in recent memory that home run No. 60 landed in the player’s hand rather than on the auction block, though.

During the 2022 season, the 20-year-old man who corralled the 60th home run ball hit by New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge handed the ball back right after the game. He agreed to swap the ball for a clubhouse meet-and-greet with Judge, four autographed baseballs and a signed game bat (not the one Judge used to hit the homer).

Judge’s American League record-breaking 62nd home run ball sold for $1.5 million in December 2022. The current record for a home run ball sold at auction was achieved in October of last year, when Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball from his historic 50/50 season sold for $4.392 million after sparking multiple lawsuits between fans who battled for ownership of it.

Raleigh is the seventh player in Major League history to reach the 60 home run milestone, following Judge, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Roger Maris, and Babe Ruth.

https://x.com/hachtel24/status/1971067926808821808

[monkeyman576]

He got a contract extention last off season.

[Amazin69]

The man simply gave away the ball — potentially worth six figures on the open market — to a child near him in the right field stands.

The boy who ended up with the baseball and his father were then taken away by security to have the ball authenticated. Mariners media relations told The Athletic that the boy traded the ball for a bat signed by Raleigh and has been invited to attend batting practice on the field at a future game.

Over $100,000 worth of souvenir swapped for…a bat and being on the field?? Wow, that kid got screwed. Way to take advantage of the underage, Cheapskates.

(Seriously, Dad, that's the kid's college fund, right there. Gotta think this through. Given childhood amnesia and such, the kid may not even remember when he gets to see BP, but he could probably find a use for a few hundred K, down the road.)

[monkeyman576]

Yeah do fans not know these baseballs are worth potentially a million dollars?

[Déjà Bru]

I would prefer to think that the two men did the right things in their minds, and still feel that way, instead of trying to monetize the situation and now regretting their actions. Sure, that sounds naive. But the first guy? I can see myself doing the same thing on the spur of the moment. Then again, I am no longer living hand to mouth.

[monkeyman576]

Is this the mariners year?

[monkeyman576]

I'm glad we have Emerson Hancock.

[monkeyman576]

The mariners strategy has to be to try to get to skubel early tomorrow and get a lot of long counts

[monkeyman576]

Kirby actually pitched a pretty strong game if we can get 2 ER in 5 IP out of Luis Castillo I bet we win that game 75% of the time for game 2.

[monkeyman576]

I'm glad Julio is on our side.

[monkeyman576]

The mariners are like the girlfriend that always cheats on you with your best friend.

[monkeyman576]

The Mariners are starting George Kirby in Game 5. Not a bad choice considering he pitched 7 innings of shutout ball in the 18 inning ALDS 2022 game 3 against Houston. I do wonder if we will go to Luis Castillo in the mid innings if he gives up a run or two.

[Déjà Bru]

I think Seattle getting to the ALCS has greatly enhanced Big Dumper's chances for MVP. That, and his .381 batting average in the playoffs so far. It's probably a lock if the Mariners go to the World Series. Of course, all of this is on top of the fact that he just had a better regular season than Judge in the first place.

[Cobra Mgr]

They don't close voting at the end of the reg season anymore?

You couldn't throw it any better.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

They don't close voting at the end of the reg season anymore?

Yes, you are right, Cobra. I stand corrected.

Voting for Major League Baseball's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award typically concludes at the end of the regular season, just before the postseason begins. The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA), which conducts the voting, requires ballots to be submitted before the first pitch of the postseason. This ensures that only regular-season performance is considered.

Well, consider what I said to be in support of the contention for popular sentiment, then! Based on the regular season, and what's happening now, my sentiment is that Raleigh is the AL MVP.

[monkeyman576]

Maybe he can hit more than 1 HR in the ALCS. But I am thrilled to be back in the ALCS and we couldn't have done it without Big Dumper of course. It's always nice to have the best catcher of all time for a season. Hopefully he can keep it up next year, do I expect 60 HR? No. 40 HR would be nice on a year in year out basis. I'm sure he will be walked a lot.

[monkeyman576]

Why did Robles have that card in his mouth on the error?

[Déjà Bru]

Cal Raleigh silences the Toronto crowd! Did the Blue Jays really think they were going to win this game 1-0?

[monkeyman576]

This is exactly what the mariners needed, innings from Bryce Miller and keep it close going into the back end of the game. Rogers Center sounds like a library compared to T-Mobile Park.

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by monkeyman576

Why did Robles have that card in his mouth on the error?

I've seen Robles in the Metsies' division for many years. Nothing about that play surprised me. Robles is a dunderhead. Always has been, probably always will be.