Man Who Caught Alex Rodriguez's 3,000th Hit Refuses to Give Ball Back to A-Rod

Alex Rodriguez may never see the baseball that resulted in his 3,000th hit.

Jun 20, 2015
Photo Removed
Complex Original

Blank pixel used during image takedowns

Photo Removed
Complex Original

Blank pixel used during image takedowns

On Friday, Alex Rodriguez became the 29th player in MLB history reach the 3,000-hit mark. In the first inning of last night's game against the Detroit Tigers, Rodriguez went yard off of Justin Verlander in the first inning, hitting it over the right-center field wall and into the hands of Zach Hample. New York Yankees personnel made their way over to Hample in order to authenticate the ball and work on a swap for this piece of history. 

Eventually, Hample returned to his seat and the ball was still in his possession. 

Here's A-Rod's 3,000th hit/ball. Told the @Yankees I'm keeping it. Got it authenticated by @MLB. This is un-REAL. pic.twitter.com/qEo2qX9Iru

— Zack Hample (@zack_hample) June 20, 2015

According to Newsday's Mike Gavin, Hample refused offers from the Yankees for the 3,000th hit ball. 

Hample says Yankees offered him tons of memorabilia and promotion, but he turned them down. He has returned to his seat

— Mike Gavin (@MikeGavin7) June 20, 2015

Hample: "I don’t plan to give it back for a chance to meet him and four autographed bats cause I don’t collect bats. I collect baseballs."

— Mike Gavin (@MikeGavin7) June 20, 2015

It appears that Hample's resistance has to do with A-Rod's past. Or, he is seeking financial compensation for the ball.

Strong quote from Hample: "It's kind of like well, I don’t like you and I have something you want and you cant have it." Continued....

— Mike Gavin (@MikeGavin7) June 20, 2015

"I wanted you to not take steroids and be the greatest of all time and you disappointed me. I still respect A-Rod, hes an amazing player...

— Mike Gavin (@MikeGavin7) June 20, 2015

....and I think he is pretty fan friendly but I have to hang on to this ball right now."

— Mike Gavin (@MikeGavin7) June 20, 2015

Says he is not fond of A-Rod because of how he tarnished the game. "If I want to sell it, he’s welcome to come bid on it at auction."

— Mike Gavin (@MikeGavin7) June 20, 2015

Hample:"Someone like Jeter & Rodriguez whose made half a billion dollars in their career doesn’t really need a favor from a normal civilian"

— Mike Gavin (@MikeGavin7) June 19, 2015

Said his initial intention was not to give the ball back because, "the guy who got Jeter’s 3,000th hit, a lot of people called him an idiot"

— Mike Gavin (@MikeGavin7) June 20, 2015

So, what does Rodriguez think about getting snubbed? 

A-Rod on not getting the ball back: "Where's Jeet's guy? The guy that caught the ball. That's the guy I needed here...I wasn't so lucky."

— Mike Gavin (@MikeGavin7) June 20, 2015

Oh, and speaking of Jeets...

Asked him if he'd have given Jeter his 3,000th ball if he had caught it:"I loved Jeter so much. I certainly would have considered it more."

— Mike Gavin (@MikeGavin7) June 20, 2015

Send all complaints, compliments, and tips to sportstips@complex.com

[via Bleacher Report]

BaseballAlex RodriguezMLBNew York YankeesNewsVideos

Latest in Sports