I got married this year, actually only a few months ago. Well, for my bachelor party a few buddies planned a great time which included the White Sox game against the LA Dodgers. You know the game Im talking about. Sox were down by 2 going into the 9th. With 2 outs in the 9th the Sox mount a come back like no other capped off with the AJ home run to win the game 5 - 3. The place was up for grabs. The home run ball landed 1 section over from us and about 10 rows down.

My buddy Rick goes up to the guy with another friend of mine in attempts to get the ball. The guy who caught it was there with his son. According to witnesses, the guy was less than kind about the request and told my buddy to F*CK OFF!! Rick explained it was my bachelor party and it would be a nice thing to do but the guy continued to be a d*ck. Rick even offered him some cash but still nothing. Rick gave the guys son his card and told him "If your pops changes his mind, shoot me an email."

The Sox go on to win the World Series (as you all know) and what do you know, the guy emails my buddy. Something to the effect of "This was an amazing year, I remember you said it was your buddies bachelor party that night, I thought about it and he deserves to have this ball." He sold Rick the ball...but this is when the story picks up...

Rick works a side business doing DJ stuff. He works weddings and other events. This past week Rick was asked to work a charity event that had some pro athletes attending. He heard there might be a member of the World Champion White Sox, so he brought the ball with.

Needless to say, the ball is now in my possession with AJ's autograph imprinted next to the seam. What a year this has been.

Just thought I would share the story with you guys. I can honestly say I will never forget that night.

 

Very interesting story w/ an awesome ending. It's hard for any Sox fan to have a reason to be upset right now.

It's definitely not the same ball.

It's definitely not the same ball.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I read this post and ran the entire gamut of emotions.

 

Starting with:

 

 

Then:

 

 

Then:

 

 

Then:

 

It's definitely not the same ball.

 

I thought the same thing, but I couldnt care less if it is or not. I do know that the signature is definitely his though.

I thought the same thing, but I couldnt care less if it is or not.  I do know that the signature is definitely his though.

Yeah, getting AJ's sig is pretty cool, authentic ball or not.

Yeah, getting AJ's sig is pretty cool, authentic ball or not.

 

My thoughts exactally. The sig is his for sure. I pulled up numerous web sites and compared the autos. As long as I think its the actual ball, thats all that matters, right?

My thoughts exactally.  The sig is his for sure.  I pulled up numerous web sites and compared the autos.  As long as I think its the actual ball, thats all that matters, right?

As long as I think this is a Monet.............

My thoughts exactally.  The sig is his for sure.  I pulled up numerous web sites and compared the autos.  As long as I think its the actual ball, thats all that matters, right?

 

Cool story...

 

And yes thats all that matters. You have something that will always help you remember that night...

 

Regardless of the ball's origin, its still a piece of yarn, cork, and cow hide...signed by AJP.

I just wondering 2 things..

 

1. How old was the Son?

 

2. How much did he pay for the ball?

I just wondering 2 things..

 

1. How old was the Son?

 

2. How much did he pay for the ball?

 

Im not sure how old the son was but I think my buddy said he was around our age (mid 20's).

 

He charged $200 for the ball, I think. That was also information that my buddy didnt seem to want to tell me. Im thinking either he paid more for it and didnt want me getting pissed cause he spent a lot on the ball or it's all a lie.

Im not sure how old the son was but I think my buddy said he was around our age (mid 20's).

 

He charged $200 for the ball, I think.  That was also information that my buddy didnt seem to want to tell me.  Im thinking either he paid more for it and didnt want me getting pissed cause he spent a lot on the ball or it's all a lie. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Okay, sorry if the kid was like 10 or something I have no respect for you or your buddy.. I know he was the bacholer party and all, but well I don't think I need to spell it out.

 

With that said..

 

I want friends like yours! I know there is no way I get something like that if I ever make the plunge.

Okay, sorry if the kid was like 10 or something I have no respect for you or your buddy.. I know he was the bacholer party and all, but well I don't think I need to spell it out.

 

With that said..

 

I want friends like yours! I know there is no way I get something like that if I ever make the plunge.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Don't worry, Ken Williams will get you a very nice wedding present.

 

Just kidding by the way, I saw your sig line re: Williams.

I want friends like yours! I know there is no way I get something like that if I ever make the plunge.

 

I didnt tell you about the rest of the night when my buddy fell asleep mid lap dance at VIPs.

My friend had his real bachelor party in Vegas, but only about 6 of his friends were able to go. His best man planned it less than a month after I was coming back from there with my wife and some other friends. I couldn't afford Vegas twice in a month. So I planned a semi-bachelor party for him the night of the Dodgers game. I got 15 of us to go and bought the tix. It was a pretty awesome game to be at. Needless to say none of us caught a ball. I did have a baseball size bruise on my arm from some butthead stepping on me when we had a big pile up on the concourse after the homer...well maybe I'm the butthead for being on the bottom...who knows...I felt no pain that night.

 

On another note....how the hell could you guys ask some guy who just caught the most dramtic game winning home run at a sox game all year, for the ball. No offense, but I would have told ya to get bent!! That's a pretty kickass moment whether its your bachelor party or not. Lucky for you, I didn't catch it....glad it worked out for ya.

 

Oh BTW, Congrats on the nuptials!!!

Edited November 9, 200520 yr by Controlled Chaos

I was there! I was in the left field bleachers.

 

Party on!

 

I was there! I was in the left field bleachers. 

 

Party on!

 

 

Yeah, us too. We had a patio party then seats in left. One of the best games Ive ever been to. I still have it saved on my TiVo at home.

 

 

 

 

On another note....how the hell could you guys ask some guy who just caught the most dramtic game winning home run at a sox game all year, for the ball.  No offense, but I would have told ya to get bent!!  That's a pretty kickass moment whether its your bachelor party or not.  Lucky for you, I didn't catch it....glad it worked out for ya.

 

Oh BTW, Congrats on the nuptials!!!

 

Actually, I had nothing to do with it. I saw him walk away after the ball was hit and when he got back my other buddy let me know he went to try and get the ball. My buddy was all pissed off cause the guy wouldnt give up the ball at the game. I was like "I wouldnt either, why the hell would he?! Now lets go see some hooters!!"

that sooo was a different ball he was sold.

that sooo was a different ball he was sold.

 

Yeah, probably. It's a good thing that I cant prove it either way. Ill just let myself believe that it is the right ball and go on happy in life.