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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700th career home run
Who Caught the Ball?
Marlowe Leal
27 Los Angeles, California
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What's the Story?
In the fourth inning, Pujols drilled an 80.8 mph slider from Phil Bickford high into the night at Dodger Stadium. The ball traveled 389 feet with 5.9 seconds of hang time before landing in the first couple of rows of the left-field pavilion, the same location where his two-run shot had landed in the previous inning.The fan who caught the historic ball chose to remain anonymous and decided to keep the ball. Despite offers and the ball being authenticated, the fan left the stadium with it. Pujols expressed his contentment with the fan's decision, stating, “Souvenirs are for the fans. I don’t have any problem if they want to keep it. If they want to give it back, that’s great. But at the end of the day, I don’t focus on material stuff.” The fan, Marlowe Leal, later co-signed with Goldin Auctions to sell the prized possession. The ball went up for auction on October 25 with a starting bid of $25,000 and ultimately sold on November 5 for $360,000, including the 20% buyer’s premium. The identity of the auction winner remains unknown. Leal plans to donate some of the money to youth baseball programs, acknowledging that the funds are “life-changing” and indicating that a significant portion will go into his bank account. |
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697th career home run, passing Alex Rodriguez's career total
Who Caught the Ball?
Matt Brown
32, software engineer Buffalo, New York
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What's the Story?
On September 11, 2022, Albert Pujols hit his 697th career home run, surpassing Alex Rodriguez on the all-time home run list. This game-winning homer capped a four-run ninth inning, securing a 4-3 victory for the St. Louis Cardinals over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The crowd of 10,398 witnessed this historic moment.The home run ball ricocheted off a couple of seats in right-center field before being caught by Pirates fans Matt and Samantha Brown. The couple was attending the game on the one-year anniversary of Samantha’s father's death. After the game, they met with Pujols and offered the historic ball back to him. However, Pujols graciously declined, stating that the ball would mean more to Samantha than to him. He also signed two additional baseballs for them. Samantha, wearing a jersey honoring former Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli, expressed her gratitude through tears, acknowledging the special significance of the ball on such an emotional day. Pujols emphasized that the ball was just a piece of memorabilia and that it deserved to be with someone who would cherish it deeply. Later, Pujols remarked, "It's just a baseball. They deserve to have it. It went out of the ballpark. We play this game for the fans. So whether they want to give it back or they want to keep it, I don’t have any problem with it. I think it means more to that girl than it means to me having it in my trophy case. She lost her dad, so I think that’s a piece of memorabilia that she can have." |
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696th career home run, tying Alex Rodriguez's career total
Who Caught the Ball?
?
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What's the Story?
Pujols hit a first-pitch slider 418 feet into the left-field stands, sending the ball just beyond the left field foul pole.The ball bounced into the concourse, prompting a scramble among fans eager to retrieve the historic keepsake. Amidst the excitement, it was unclear who ultimately secured the ball. |
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Who Caught the Ball?
Tim Remes
29, bullpen catcher, Detroit Tigers Coral Springs, Florida
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What's the Story?
MLB used special baseballs for Cabrera's plate appearances after he reached 499 home runs. On August 22, 2021, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Cabrera hit his 500th home run.Cabrera connected on a 1-1 pitch from left-hander Steven Matz, sending a 104 mph line drive over the scoreboard in right-center field for a 400-foot homer, tying the score at 1. The 14,685 fans in attendance gave Cabrera a standing ovation as he rounded the bases. After celebrating with his teammates, Cabrera came out of the dugout for a curtain call, acknowledging the cheering crowd by taking off his helmet and bowing to the fans behind Detroit's dugout. The ball landed in an open area between the fence and the first level of the bleachers, near the Detroit Tigers’ bullpen. It was retrieved by Tigers bullpen catcher Tim Remes. After being verified by MLB authenticators, Remes presented the ball to Cabrera in the Tigers’ clubhouse. Tigers director of player relations and authentics, Jordan Field, noted that Cabrera prioritized keeping the ball. The Baseball Hall of Fame requested Cabrera's batting helmet, and it is anticipated that Cabrera might also donate the bat and jersey he used once the season concluded. "I'm going to save it somewhere in my house," Cabrera said, expressing his excitement and appreciation for the milestone and for Remes taking care of the ball. |
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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?
Albert Pujols made history once again by hitting his 661st career home run, surpassing Willie Mays on the all-time home run list. This significant milestone was achieved with a solo drive to left field off a 1-2 fastball from Texas Rangers pitcher Wes Benjamin. The ball landed in the Rangers' bullpen, sealing Pujols' place as one of the greatest power hitters in baseball history.As Pujols rounded the bases, he pointed to the dugout and did a fist pump upon reaching third base, celebrating the momentous occasion with his teammates. |
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660th career home run, tying Willie Mays' career total
Who Caught the Ball?
?
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What's the Story?
On September 18, 2020, Albert Pujols hit his 660th career home run, tying Willie Mays on the all-time home run list. The milestone homer came in the eighth inning with the Angels trailing 3-2. Pujols launched a fastball from Colorado Rockies reliever Carlos Estevez into the empty left-field seats at Coors Field for a two-run drive, giving the Angels the lead.Due to the absence of fans, the ball was easily retrieved from the stands, ensuring its safekeeping. Pujols decided to keep the ball as a personal memento, while his bat was given to third-base coach Brian Butterfield, a dedicated Mays fan. |
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2019 World Series, Game 7:
gave the Nationals the lead
Who Caught the Ball?
?
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What's the Story?
On October 30, 2019, Howie Kendrick delivered a pivotal home run in Game 7 of the World Series against the Houston Astros. Trailing by a run in the seventh inning, Kendrick hit a dramatic two-run home run off Astros pitcher Will Harris. The ball clanged off the right-field foul pole at Minute Maid Park, sending a shockwave through the stadium and giving the Nationals the lead.The home run not only silenced one of the loudest atmospheres in baseball but also played a crucial role in the Nationals' eventual 6-2 victory, securing their first World Series title in franchise history. The ball bounced back onto the field and hit Houston outfielder George Springer's leg before being retrieved. |
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2019 World Series, Game 5:
made Jeff Adams an instant celebrity for Bud Light
Who Caught the Ball?
Jeff Adams
Washington, DC
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What's the Story?
During Game 5 of the 2019 World Series, Yordan Álvarez of the Houston Astros hit a home run that made Jeff Adams an instant celebrity for Bud Light. The ball was hit towards Adams as he was returning to his seat with two Bud Lights in hand. Wearing a tattered Nationals cap and a weathered Nationals T-shirt, Adams used his chest to stop the ball, which deflected to the ground without spilling his beers. The moment was captured on live TV and quickly went viral.Adams recounted the event, crediting his lucky 15-year-old Nationals cap and his little league coach for his quick reaction. "He taught me how to put my chest in front of a ball and let it bounce in front of me," Adams said. Despite the hit, Adams felt no pain, saying, "It’s a World Series baseball. I didn’t feel anything." Bud Light's marketing team, recognizing the potential of this viral moment, swiftly moved to capitalize on Adams' fame. They tweeted, "This man is a hero. Twitter please figure out who this guy is so we can reward him. #WorldSeries," and quickly created a custom "Always Save The Beers" shirt for Adams. Adams was flown to Houston for Game 6, where he wore the custom shirt. Bud Light aired a 15-second ad featuring Adams during the game, with the caption, "Pain is temporary, glory is forever." They also covered his tickets and expenses for Game 7. After the Nationals' victory in Game 7, Bud Light released another commercial celebrating Adams, acknowledging his role as a good luck charm. Marketing experts estimated the "beer guy" moment was worth $8 million in exposure for Bud Light, highlighting the power of viral events in advertising. |
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2019 ALCS, Game 6:
won the AL pennant for the Houston Astros
Who Caught the Ball?
Brett Gardner
36, New York Yankees |
What's the Story?
In Game 6 of the 2019 American League Championship Series, Jose Altuve hit a dramatic home run to secure the AL pennant for the Houston Astros. With a 2-1 count and 2 outs, Altuve connected off an 84 mph hanging slider from Aroldis Chapman.The ball bounced off the left field facade and back onto the field, where Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner picked it up. He handed it to Houston bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte, saying, “Here, take this. You guys are a great team. Now go win the World Series. Represent the American League well.” Bracamonte, deeply moved by Gardner's gesture and a hug from Aaron Judge, gave the ball to an MLB authenticator before joining his teammates in their celebration. |
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2019 NLDS, Game 5:
grand slam gives Washington the lead and eventual NLDS win
Who Caught the Ball?
?
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What's the Story?
On October 9, 2019, Howie Kendrick hit a monumental grand slam in Game 5 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This game-changing hit came off Joe Kelly's 0-1 pitch in the top of the 10th inning, sending the ball over the center field wall and breaking a tie. Kendrick's grand slam ultimately led the Washington Nationals to a 7-3 victory, marking their first playoff series win and advancing them to the NLCS for the first time in Nationals history.The ball cleared the fence and landed in the space between the wall and the stands, just behind a photographer. The specific fate of the ball is unknown, but it was presumably retrieved by stadium officials. This grand slam is often considered the biggest hit in Nationals' franchise history, solidifying Kendrick's place in the team's lore. |