What would you do with Bonds' 755th or 756th Home Run Ball [Archive]

Mattingly

08-01-2007, 01:21 AM

Wouldn't someone need to wear an hockey mask or catcher's mask in order not to end up with the scratch marks we'd seen on people who'd caught and volleyed the #600 ball back and forth?

Anyway, he's in Los Angeles right now, so I get the impression that anyone other than those "cross the LA border" folks from the Bay would be inclined to throw it back. There must be an invisible "Mason-Dixon" type of line down there separating those two teams and their fan base.

As to myself, I'd put a big fat "*" on it, then see if he still wants it. If he wants it unscathed, I'd save myself the glory, but in exchange for its safe return, I would require a few signed maple bats from himself and his Godfather, Say Hey.

THE OX

08-01-2007, 04:57 AM

I'd sell it for the highest possible amount of money to some wealthy schmuck who wants it very badly.

Just like selling used bathroom tissue, as far as I'm concerned.......

PVNICK

08-01-2007, 05:55 AM

Sit in the bottom of the closet (at least that's what I'd liek to think I would do). I can't see glorifying it which giving it to him, HOF or the person on e-bay would end up doing.

Mariano_Rivera

08-01-2007, 06:24 AM

Put a huge asterik on it in ink that can't be removed :D and then sell it to the HoF

Seattle1

08-01-2007, 07:44 AM

Burn it.....

digglahhh

08-01-2007, 08:10 AM

Burn it.....

Is that what you would do with a winning lottery ticket too?

If you don't think anybody should benefit from it, then sell the ball and donate the profits to charity.

The above response is possibly more selfish than anything I've heard Bonds say.

You are placing vindictive false glory over the preservation of history and the potential financial stability of individuals of your choosing.

What would you do if you came across Hitler's birth certificate? Would you burn it, or would you sell it and then donate the money to Holocaust survivors?

You sound so self-righteous, but tell me where the high moral ground actually lies?

Wade8813

08-01-2007, 09:35 AM

Actually, digglahhh, you come across as sounding more self-righteous than Seattle1 does, IMO.

Seattle1 sounds like one of many people who are upset with Bonds and would see this as a chance to vent their frustrations (and maybe get back at Bonds a bit). Maybe not the ideal response, but fairly understandable.

You on the other hand, while raising a valid point, come across as highly judgemental of someone who didn't really do anything wrong.

Anyway, I'd definitely sell it. The money I could make off of that would probably be enough to retire on (before I even start my career). And while I don't like what he (probably) did, it's not as bad as a lot of things a lot of people do.

AutographCollector

08-01-2007, 09:43 AM

I'm curious when I ask: For those of you that opted to vote for "Sell it". Exactly how much would you sell it for? Be realistic. Answers like 90 trillion bucks wouldn't cut it.
I would sell it for $200,000. ;)

Robin Yount

08-01-2007, 09:51 AM

I'd give it to Barry to be his friend and I'm sure he's give me some memorabilia in return

NewEnglandAmazins

08-01-2007, 09:54 AM

I'd sell it, there are some deep pockets in Silicon Valley.

west coast orange and black

08-01-2007, 11:30 AM

Dalkowski110

08-01-2007, 11:33 AM

I'd just toss it back onto the field. Not at anyone. Just back onto the field.

Westlake

08-01-2007, 11:34 AM

I'd sell it. To Barry.

west coast orange and black

08-01-2007, 11:40 AM

bonds would not pay for the ball. he'd have no real interest in having the ball.
instead, bonds has a bat collection that consists of every bat used to hit a homerun since #500.
but if he ever received the ball he would give it to the hall (which does not purchase items).

MyDogSparty

08-01-2007, 12:26 PM

I'd consider cutting them both in half. Right through whatever special mark they're putting on them and then I'd keep half and sell half.

Mattingly

08-01-2007, 01:25 PM

two-three: I'd put a big fat "*" on it, then see if he still wants it. If he wants it unscathed, I'd save myself the glory, but in exchange for its safe return, I would require a few signed maple bats from himself and his Godfather, Say Hey.

so, it seems that you would be willing to put aside the asterisk for a price.
priceless.
you would get nothing from mays, by the way.
he would tell you that 756 has nothing to do with him, and to go talk to bonds.
Actually, I feel that everyone has their price. Some are simply higher than others'. Otherwise, the world would be filled with starving artists, rather than enterprising mavericks. Both could be just as talented, but one figured out how to make money off the whole thing.

Anyway, my price would be in the low 6 figures, around $300k. I'd read somewhere that a guy offered $500k for the ball, but I wouldn't remember where. I'd jump at that offer if all I have to do is bring along an authenticating expert and a tax lawyer (plus an armored car company or something).

Like always, I ramble a bit, sooooooo ... I remember that when Barry hit #700 or something like this, both signed bats, so if the Godfather (Willie Mays, not Marlon Brando) is there, I'd hit him up for his John Hancock also. Hey, if that's more important to him than anything else, he's not getting the ball (if I'd changed my mind to give it away).

Too many crazy decisions in this whole matter. I should be an LAD fan and just throw it back! :D

captlid

08-01-2007, 01:29 PM

Keep it. Being part of sports history does not happen to often.

KCGHOST

08-01-2007, 02:07 PM

I'd try to give it to the HoF.

Seattle1

08-01-2007, 08:37 PM

Is that what you would do with a winning lottery ticket too?

If you don't think anybody should benefit from it, then sell the ball and donate the profits to charity.

The above response is possibly more selfish than anything I've heard Bonds say.

You are placing vindictive false glory over the preservation of history and the potential financial stability of individuals of your choosing.

What would you do if you came across Hitler's birth certificate? Would you burn it, or would you sell it and then donate the money to Holocaust survivors?

You sound so self-righteous, but tell me where the high moral ground actually lies?

:laugh ...........

bryanac625

08-01-2007, 10:09 PM

I seriously doubt anyone would throw it back, not when you can sell it for $$$$$$$ and certainly there would be a stampede of fans rushing the field to retrieve the ball.

But if it is "hypocritical" to use steroids, what about cursing Barry Bonds and then profiting from his "hypocrisy?"

EdTarbusz

08-01-2007, 10:27 PM

I'd keep it, unless the IRS showed up at my door an tell me 'this ball has been appraised for such and such amount. Here is the bill for your gift tax.' If that happened I would sell it.

Baseball Guru

08-02-2007, 11:39 AM

I'd keep it, unless the IRS showed up at my door an tell me 'this ball has been appraised for such and such amount. Here is the bill for your gift tax.' If that happened I would sell it.

Good answer:clapping

I think I'd do the same.. I have lots of autographed baseballs so I'm really into keeping memorbilia but if I was offered an insane price that would help my and my family's future, I'd probably have to jump at the offer:)

Glasgow Red Sox/Giants Fan

08-02-2007, 11:56 AM

I'd let it sit in my house for ten to twenty years. By this time, it would probably be like a Honus Wagner card (although nowhere NEAR as revered), and everyone would think it was lost over time, and the HOF (in the year they decide to Bonds in the Hall) get pretty antsy and make an appeal for the ball. At this time, I step forward and offer to sell it to the HOF for no less than £750,000 which, using the £1=$2 exchange rate, would be $1.5 million.

Easy money!

MyDogSparty

08-02-2007, 12:09 PM

I'd let it sit in my house for ten to twenty years.

I think in 10 or 20 years, Bonds will no longer hold the record and the value of the ball may drop.

Erik Bedard

08-02-2007, 12:34 PM

Sell it and donate a hefty percentage of the proceeds to a steroid awareness fund.

Stray Cat

08-04-2007, 08:10 AM

Toss it in McCovey Cove just to see everyone try to swim for it. :hyper:
But it does belong in the Hall of Fame.

slugger33

08-04-2007, 09:58 AM

I would try to give it to Barry if he wanted it.

abolishthedh

08-04-2007, 12:49 PM

I'd throw it back, just to send the signal to Barry of what I think of him. Two developments would follow. 1) Someone on the field would proceed to offer it to Barry or give it to the HoF anyway, 2) Someone would track me down and I could let Barry and all this supporters know that his dad Bobby was my favorite player from about 1973 through 1977. I even have Bobby Bonds' autograph. Barry and his selfishness represent all that has gone wrong with professional sports, and not just baseball.

John Shoemaker

08-04-2007, 12:51 PM

I would auction it off but give Barry the right to match the final offer.

digglahhh

08-04-2007, 03:04 PM

Once again, if I won the lottery I'd just throw the ticket away, because, of course, the lottery was originally intended to help fund the school system and has since been corrupted. Since I don't like corruption, I wouldn't keep the money.

Full disclosure, I don't play the lotto.

Anyway, this is baseball, it is a sport, a hobby. IT IS NOT A BIG DEAL. You want to make a meaningful statement, a good start would be to make it about something that is meaningful.

The "high ground" is returning it to Barry, or donating it to the Hall of Fame. Throwing it away, defacing it, or destroying it, is just cutting off your nose to spite your face.

You can call me self-righteous all you want, but I'm only judging those who have set themselves up to be judged, by initially judging others.

Seattle1

08-04-2007, 05:19 PM

Can a moderator please delete the "blow it up" option from this poll? Diglah thinks it's wrong. Thanks!

;)

:laugh

TonyK

08-04-2007, 06:21 PM

Kid: "Mean Barry, I caught your 756th home run ball and want to give it back to you."

Mean Barry: "Why thanks kid, are you sure you don't want to keep the ball?"

Kid: "No Mean Barry. I think you should get to keep it."

(the Kid turns around and begins to walk away)

Mean Barry: "Hey Kid!"

Kid: "What Mean Barry?"

Mean Barry: "You sure are stupid."

RuthMayBond

08-04-2007, 07:57 PM

philipthegreat

08-04-2007, 08:12 PM

I really don't think there is anybody here who wouldn't sell it. anyone who says they would do anything but sell it is either not being honest or isn't thinking straight:crazy

TonyK

08-04-2007, 08:27 PM

Who needs Shakespeare when we've got this literary genius? :rolleyes:

After reading a story about what Barry reportedly said to a young fan this week the commercial with Mean Joe Greene in it came to mind. I'm sure I'm not the only baseball fan who thought of it. Didn't appreciate the sarcasm.

BlueBlood

08-04-2007, 09:41 PM

As much as it would be heroic to make a grand statement and throw the ball back into the field or destroy it, etc...the money you'd make from selling it would change the lives of you and your family for the better, so I'd definitely put it up for auction ASAP.

iPod

08-04-2007, 10:10 PM

To be blunt, I find it hard to believe someone here who claims, without the ball in his hands, that he would deface it, destroy it, or throw it away just to make a statement. But still, I could see someone, in the heat of the moment, choking on his own rage, and wanting to look heroic, throwing it back on the field. Then that guy would forever be known as the moron who threw away several hundred thousand dollars on live television for the sake of making some futile point about the role of steroids in sports. He would regret it and realize how completely stupid what he had done was the instant the ball left his hands. I really think such a person would be held alongside guys like Bartman and the Stanford band member who got bowled over in the Sports Spectators Hall of Infamy; the Leon Lett of baseball fans, so to speak.

Erik Bedard

08-05-2007, 09:03 AM

RuthMayBond

08-05-2007, 09:10 AM

After reading a story about what Barry reportedly said to a young fan this week the commercial with Mean Joe Greene in it came to mind. I'm sure I'm not the only baseball fan who thought of it. Didn't appreciate the sarcasm.Why don't you reportedly tell us?

johnnypapa

08-05-2007, 10:06 AM

Not sure what I'd do with it but I would try to get the real record holder to sign it.... Hank Aaron.

iPod

08-05-2007, 04:58 PM

Actually, it would be the near-exact reverse of Bartman. What he did was catch a ball for some unimportant reason, impacting baseball history forever. This would be throwing a ball for some unimportant reason, impacting his future forever.

I didn't write they would be the same. I'm just pointing out that they would both be ridiculed and laughed about at water coolers around the country. And they would.

MudvilleMike

08-05-2007, 06:12 PM

I would do the same thing that every other person who isn't super-wealthy would...I'd sell it. But since I won't catch the ball, I'll mention that I'd donate all the money to charity and then move to Calcutta to help the poor.

G.Costanza

08-07-2007, 08:30 PM

This is a no brainer, lke kURT kOBAINER WASYOUR TRAINER:waving

Barry(US)Bonds

08-08-2007, 09:03 AM

I would take the ball, put it in a super-protective case and then display it by McCovey Cove. I would then invite every Giants Fan I know and throw a party next to the ball, just so we could be in its presence. Even though we would have the most expensive champagne and food and everything needed to have a good time, we would all just stand there, in awe, and not even party. This would continue until the wee hours of the morning at which time everyone would claim that Bonds is the GREATEST OF ALL TIME, and then we would start to party until we passed out. The we would get up and start the process all over again. This would continue indefinitely...but that's just me

brewers96

08-08-2007, 09:24 AM

I would try to sell it to the HOF.

Seattle1

08-12-2007, 04:39 PM

This is a no brainer, lke kURT kOBAINER WASYOUR TRAINER:waving

Did you know Kurt Cobain didn't commit suicide? In reality he was injected with a massive amount of heroin in order to incapacitate him, then shot with the shotgun.

Cobain was from western Washington, so his favorite team was probably the Mariners. He also played little league ball (baseball-related content).

Colorado Express

08-12-2007, 08:08 PM

Good answer:clapping

I think I'd do the same.. I have lots of autographed baseballs so I'm really into keeping memorbilia but if I was offered an insane price that would help my and my family's future, I'd probably have to jump at the offer:)

Ditto......

cardsfanatic

08-12-2007, 08:36 PM

Sell it. You'd be a fool not to. The baseball players are all about the moolah, so why should us fans be any different? If Bonds wanted the ball he could bid on it.

Louisiana Lightning

08-12-2007, 09:27 PM

Plain and simple I would sell the :baseball:. I would cash it in while the gettin's good. I wouldn't want to take the chance of just holding on to it and the value might fall.

ESPNFan

08-12-2007, 11:09 PM

Well I didn't get a chance to vote but I'd go for blow it up with a twist. I'd auction off the chance to push the plunger for cancer research. Who know in a few years maybe Barry will be the beneficiary of said research. With all the chemicals he has allegedly taken its more than likely unfortunately.