ballcatchers.com
A home run is perfect.
A home run is a gift.
A home run is history.
And sometimes history picks you.
A home run is a gift.
A home run is history.
And sometimes history picks you.
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661st career home run, passing Willie Mays' career total
Who Caught the Ball?
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What's the Story?
On May 7, 2015, Alex Rodriguez hit his 661st career home run, surpassing Willie Mays on the all-time home run list. This historic moment occurred at Yankee Stadium, where Rodriguez connected on a 1-1 pitch, a hanging changeup from Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman. The ball was belted into the runway between Monument Park and the visitors' bullpen in left-center field.The ball was likely retrieved by stadium officials and returned to Rodriguez. |
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660th career home run, tying Willie Mays' career total
Who Caught the Ball?
Mike Shuster
25, financial adviser Warwick, RI
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What's the Story?
On May 1, 2015, Alex Rodriguez hit his 660th career home run, tying Willie Mays on the all-time home run list. This milestone moment occurred at Fenway Park, where Rodriguez, as a pinch-hitter in the top of the eighth inning, turned on a 94 mph fastball from Red Sox pitcher Junichi Tazawa. The ball traveled 419 feet at 117 mph and landed in the third row of the Green Monster Seats.The ball was caught by Mike Shuster, a Red Sox fan who had just returned to his seat after a bathroom break. Shuster, well-prepared and aware of A-Rod's patterns, managed to secure the ball despite being briefly contested by another fan. Shuster's initial reaction was to give the ball a thumbs down, a sentiment shared by many Red Sox fans in the ballpark. Despite being offered various forms of Yankees and Red Sox memorabilia, Shuster decided to keep the ball, citing its significant value and the marketing bonus tied to Rodriguez's contract for hitting the milestone. Shuster even considered unconventional ways to deal with the ball, such as making a statement by destroying it. Years later, Shuster decided to auction off the ball using cryptocurrency technology, inspired by the success of sports figures like Rob Gronkowski and Patrick Mahomes in the NFT market. He planned to sell the physical ball along with limited-edition NFT artwork, creating a unique and modern approach to sports memorabilia. |
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500th career home run
Who Caught the Ball?
Tom Sherrill
29, Air Force serviceman Pomona, California
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What's the Story?
Albert Pujols made history by hitting his 500th career home run, a monumental drive over the left-center-field fence. The ball's journey to its final recipient was quite eventful, as it flew through the hands of one fan, ricocheted off a step in the aisle, and then bounced off Tom Sherrill's belly before landing in his hands.Sherrill, understanding the significance of the milestone, decided to return the ball to Pujols. "I'll take whatever they want to give me, but I'm not going to be picky. I just want to make sure that Albert gets the ball. I'm just happy to be a part of it," Sherrill told Angels broadcasters Victor Rojas and Mark Gubicza on Fox Sports West. After the game, Sherrill handed the ball to Pujols, who in return gave Sherrill autographed memorabilia. |
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2011 World Series, Game 6:
won the game and evened the World Series at 3-3
Who Caught the Ball?
David Huyette
39, radiologist Maryville, Illinois
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What's the Story?
On October 27, 2011, David Freese etched his name into baseball lore with a dramatic, game-winning home run in the 11th inning of Game 6 of the World Series, evening the series at three games apiece and keeping the St. Louis Cardinals' championship hopes alive.David Huyette and his friend Jeremy Reiland were seated in the outfield bleachers at Busch Stadium, having purchased their tickets on StubHub. Throughout the wild 10-9 contest against the Texas Rangers, the duo had played out various scenarios in their minds, each at-bat a potential piece of Cardinals history. Every time a player came to bat, the pair knew that a historic moment could land just a few feet away. "Every time there was a chance there could be a walkoff home run, Jeremy reminded me that there was a grassy knoll right next to us," Huyette recalled. "We're out there and I just assumed the position to get ready each time. At one point Albert [Pujols] had the chance to win the game and we thought that was going to be the time that it happened. But it didn't, he was intentionally walked." When Freese came up to bat in the 11th inning, the crowd was on edge. Huyette heard the crack of the bat, and everything seemed to move in slow motion. He quickly jumped over the fence as the ball sailed toward the grassy knoll near his seat. "I just tumbled around it, expecting to get pummeled and beaten to death," Huyette said. He managed to scurry onto the grass, retrieve the ball, and stuff it down his pants before celebrating. Off-duty St. Louis police officer Mike Reis, working ballpark security, later approached Huyette and Reiland. He informed them that Freese or the Hall of Fame might be interested in the baseball. Reis made it clear that Huyette was free to make his own decision, but the fan immediately agreed to a negotiation. Huyette was taken to a spot outside the Cardinals clubhouse, where he offered the ball to Freese. A quick negotiation ensued, and Huyette agreed to trade the ball for a signed bat from Freese as well as a ball signed by the entire Cardinals team. "Maybe if I had been wanting for money, it'd be different," Huyette said. "But I make a good living. I wasn't going to hold the country hostage for the ball." |
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Who Caught the Ball?
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What's the Story?
Jim Thome hit his 600th career home run with a towering fly ball to left field. The ball cleared the fence and was recovered by stadium officials.The ball was eventually returned to Thome. |
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Who Caught the Ball?
Christian Lopez
23, cell phone salesman Highland Mills, New York
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What's the Story?
On July 9, 2011, Derek Jeter achieved his 3000th career hit with a dramatic home run at Yankee Stadium. Christian Lopez, who had received $65 tickets as a birthday present from his girlfriend Tara Johnson, was sitting in the first row of Section 236 in left field with Johnson, his father Raul, and two family friends, hoping to witness history.As Jeter's milestone hit soared toward them, Lopez recalled his earlier prediction about catching the historic ball. "My boyfriend said, 'If the ball comes over here, I'm going to get it,'" Johnson said. "So when it was hit, I said, 'Christian, I think it's really coming here.'" The ball hit Raul's palm and bounced into Christian's hands. "My dad missed it because he has awful hands," Lopez said. "The next thing I know, I just saw the ball roll in front of me and I jumped on it. It was instinct." Raul quickly covered his son to protect him from the crowd, aware of the chaos that could ensue from such a significant catch. "When I saw the ball went to him, I covered him," Raul said. "I knew it would be crazy because it's history." Yankees officials promptly escorted Lopez to the Steinbrenner family luxury box for his safety. "Security was right there in a second," Lopez said. "They were dragging me up the stairs, and I'm a large man to drag up stairs. They were saying, 'Come with us.' The whole reason for me to come to the game was for history. And to actually be part of it now, it's crazy. It was surreal." Lopez generously decided not to ask for anything in return for the ball. The Yankees rewarded him with season tickets for the rest of the 2011 regular season and playoffs. According to The New York Times, the total value of these seats could exceed $120,000, potentially resulting in a tax liability of up to $14,000 for Lopez. |
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600th career home run
Who Caught the Ball?
Frankie Babilonia
23, New York Yankees security guard
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What's the Story?
On August 4, 2010, Alex Rodriguez hit his 600th career home run, becoming the youngest player to reach this milestone at 35 years old. The historic blast sailed over the center field wall at Yankee Stadium, landing in the protective netting above Monument Park. This prevented the ball from being caught by fans and ensured it was retrieved without a public scramble.Frankie Babilonia, a Yankees employee in his second season, was filling in for a colleague on break when the ball landed. Despite stumbling several times while scrambling to retrieve it, Babilonia successfully handed the ball over to Yankees officials, adhering to team policy. Rodriguez expressed his gratitude, saying, "I'm very blessed that Frankie was so generous. I was lucky to hit it to center field to have one of our guys get it." Babilonia described the experience as a "lifetime experience" and emphasized that he never considered keeping the ball, valuing his job and the moment itself. As a token of appreciation, Rodriguez gave Babilonia a bat, which Babilonia plans to frame and display at home. |
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4th player in history to hit a grand slam in his 1st major league at-bat (this one on the first pitch)
Who Caught the Ball?
Manny Delcarmen
28, Boston Red Sox player
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What's the Story?
On June 12, 2010, Daniel Nava made a remarkable debut with the Boston Red Sox, becoming only the fourth player in MLB history to hit a grand slam in his first major league at-bat. Even more impressively, he achieved this feat on the very first pitch he saw.Nava, a 27-year-old rookie, stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies. He connected with the first pitch from Phillies pitcher Joe Blanton, sending it soaring into the right-center field bullpen. Sitting in the Red Sox bullpen, Boston player Manny Delcarmen leaped into the air and caught the ball. Understanding the significance of the moment, Delcarmen promptly returned the ball to Nava. Nava's grand slam not only made history but also marked an unforgettable moment in his career. The ball, caught and returned by Delcarmen, became a cherished memento of one of the most memorable debuts in baseball history. |
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Who Caught the Ball?
Chris Matcovich
22, college student Suffern, New York
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What's the Story?
On April 17, 2009, Gary Sheffield hit his 500th career home run during a game at Citi Field, becoming the 25th player in Major League Baseball history to reach this milestone.Chris Matcovich was in section 132 in left field when Sheffield stepped up to the plate. As the ball soared into the stands, Matcovich lost sight of it momentarily but then saw it descending towards him. The ball first hit off a man's hand in the last row and then floated gently into Matcovich's hands. Matcovich recounted his thoughts at the moment: "Just don't drop it. If I dropped it, I would have been so disappointed in myself for the rest of my life." After catching the ball, Matcovich and his friends walked around the stadium and found security to inform them that he had the ball. They were escorted to the security office, where Major League Baseball officials authenticated the ball. Sheffield's teammates had joked that it might cost him a hefty sum to get the ball back, with estimates jokingly around $100,000. Sheffield, humorously concerned about his wife's reaction to such a cost, was relieved when Matcovich expressed that he wanted nothing more than to return the ball to Sheffield. "I wanted nothing but to just give it back to Gary," Matcovich said. "It was his ball. It's not mine." Sheffield appreciated Matcovich's gesture, noting that Matcovich didn't have to return the ball but chose to do so out of respect. In gratitude, Sheffield signed jerseys for Matcovich and his friends and planned to give them some signed bats as well. Matcovich was also invited back to throw out the first pitch at a future game and watch batting practice from the field. |
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2008 NLCS, Game 4:
Who Caught the Ball?
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What's the Story?
In Game 4 of the 2008 NLCS, Matt Stairs hit a crucial home run that played a pivotal role in the Philadelphia Phillies' victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, propelling them toward their eventual World Series win. The Dodgers, despite their storied history and the excitement surrounding Manny Ramirez and the revitalization of "Mannywood," couldn't overcome the Phillies' determination and the unexpected heroics of a 40-year-old veteran.Stairs, who humorously referred to himself as the "Wonder Hamster," stepped up to the plate in the eighth inning with the game tied at 5-5. Facing Dodgers' pitcher Jonathan Broxton, Stairs delivered a towering two-run homer into the right field seats, silencing the Dodgers' crowd and giving the Phillies a 7-5 lead. The ball landed in the stands and was retrieved by an excited fan, who instantly became part of the memorable moment. While the identity of the fan who caught the ball remains unknown, the significance of Stairs' home run is well-remembered by Phillies fans and baseball enthusiasts. Stairs' homer didn't just change the course of the game; it became a defining moment in the Phillies' postseason run. Philadelphia went on to win the game and eventually the series, advancing to the World Series where they captured their first championship since 1980. |