Lets say you were struggling...

[Po Pimp]

Would you have given the ball back for free because it's tradition, or would you have kept the ball until you felt you got back fair monetary compensation?

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Fan-returns-3-000th-hit-to-Jeter-team-rewards-h?urn=mlb-wp12123

P.S. The fan didn't receive money, but he did get remaining tickets in the suite to all remaining Yankee games this season, as well as a chance to meet Jeter.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Lets say you were struggling...

Jeter should write him a check. It's a whopping 1.1% of what he makes this year if he gives the guy market value for it.

[slickdtc]

Re: Lets say you were struggling...

I'd give it back. There's something satisfying about just doing the right thing. One day, maybe someone will do something similar (obviously not the same unless this kid suddenly becomes a Major Leaguer and an All-Star) for him. The whole karma thing.

Nowadays, players and teams are usually really cool about stuff like this and reward the person anyway. He can sell some of those tickets too to make some cash if he wants to. Or just take in the experience of Yankees games. It's kind of a win-win, feel good about yourself and still get a nice prize out of it. A lot of cash is nice, but so is the alternative.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: Lets say you were struggling...

I'd sell it without thinking twice about it.

1. I hate the Yankees
2. I'm broke

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Lets say you were struggling...

I'd sell it without thinking twice about it.

1. I hate the Yankees
2. I'm broke

I could love the Yankees and I would still sell it. I'd much rather have $250,000 and have to live with the thought that a guy who has everything doesn't have 1 particular ball.

[adice15]

Re: Lets say you were struggling...

I'd see what they offered me, and unless it was amazing, I'd sell it. If he wants it that bad, he can buy it.

[BurghFan]

Re: Lets say you were struggling...

Should've made this a poll.

I'd give it back and ask for only an autographed baseball in return.

[areobee401]

Re: Lets say you were struggling...

I'd keep the ball and from there we would see how badly Jeter wanted the ball. I'd expect money , my own statue in center field at Yankee Stadium , a night with Minka Kelly , and season tickets that I could later sell on Stubhub.

[Po Pimp]

Re: Lets say you were struggling...

Poll added. By the way, I would sell the ball to the highest bidder in a heartbeat. I can wash my hands with the fact that Jeter might think I was a jerk.

[Beantown]

Re: Lets say you were struggling...

Yeah, even if I liked the Yankees I think I'd still sell it. I'd offer it to Jeter/the team first and be like: "You want the ball, I could get 250k from him...so give me 300 and it's yours without me trying to start a bidding war."

[Kobalt]

Re: Lets say you were struggling...

You can always sell those tickets

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Lets say you were struggling...

Forget that crap. I would have asked for an autographed baseball, autographed baseball and money. 50 years from now that stuff autographed stuff would have been worth millions.

I mean remaining suite tickets for the rest of the season is worth what ? $15,000 ? Big rip off.

[Buckeyes_Doc]

Re: Lets say you were struggling...

I would sell the ball in a heartbeat.

[Altimus]

Re: Lets say you were struggling...

Yeah, even if I liked the Yankees I think I'd still sell it. I'd offer it to Jeter/the team first and be like: "You want the ball, I could get 250k from him...so give me 300 and it's yours without me trying to start a bidding war."

This.

I'd probably grab it and leave the game ASAP!

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: Lets say you were struggling...

Sell it... how is it the right thing to do by giving it up for nothing?

These athletes make hundreds of millions, and drive the ticket prices through the roof with their insane union always making for insane contracts.

They can afford to toss some cash if it means that much to them.

It's only money, right? Obviously they are swimming in it and blowing money fast like money means nothing all the time. So it is not being greedy to ask the value for something you caught that is rightfully yours by ballpark rules. The sentimental value is more to them than the cash they blow on bar tabs in the five digits a night.