http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3469308

 

The ball Barry Bonds launched for his record-breaking 756th home run took a strange turn Tuesday on its possible path to the Hall of Fame.

 

First, the Hall announced it wouldn't take the asterisk-stamped souvenir because talks with its owner broke down over whether the ball would be loaned or donated. Hours later, the man who paid $752,467 for the prize presented a different view.

 

"At this time, the ball is on route to the Hall of Fame," fashion designer Marc Ecko said in a statement. "I hope that they will accept it and honor their commitment to display it at some point in time."

 

Ecko spokeswoman Laurie Baker said the ball would be offered as a "permanent donation."

 

After many conversations back and forth, the Hall said Tuesday afternoon that recent talks with Ecko had "unfortunately reached an impasse."

 

"The owner's previous commitment to unconditionally donate the baseball has changed to a loan. As a result, the Hall of Fame will not be able to accept the baseball," the Hall said.

 

Early Tuesday evening, Ecko responded.

 

"I am surprised that the Hall issued a statement that said they would no longer accept the Barry Bonds' 756th home run baseball. We had been in communication with them just this morning and the Hall did not mention that they would change their position and no longer accept the ball," he said.

 

"Based on the Hall of Fame's previous statements that they would both accept and display the ball, the only open issue we were talking about was the Hall's recent indication of discomfort in displaying it and addressing the controversy surrounding the record."

 

The Hall held many internal discussions and consulted with several prominent museums last year before deciding it would accept the marked ball.

 

Bonds called Ecko an "idiot" when the designer announced plans to hold the vote. The slugger later said he would boycott the Hall if it displayed the ball with an asterisk.

 

Bonds finished the season with 762 home runs. The San Francisco Giants did not offer him a contract for this year, and he hasn't gotten an offer to play for another team.

 

I think we should honor Bonds' statement and not elect him to the HoF.

As much as people can rip Bonds, I think his ball belongs in the hall. He is an amazing player regardless and I don't consider him in the same light as Pete Rose. Of course that could change with time.

Looks like it's in after all.

Mark Ecko can go to hell. That is the most prized ball in all of sports and he goes and mistreats it the way he has. What a POS. Stick to making s***ty clothes.