The fan who got Albert Pujols’ milestone 2,000th RBI ball on Thursday failed to get it authenticated, according to a report.
Pujols hit a solo home run in the top of the third inning of the Los Angeles Angels’ game against the Detroit Tigers to make it 6-0. His homer gave him 2,000 career RBIs, making him just the third player in MLB history to reach that milestone since the statistic was tracked beginning in 1920, joining Hank Aaron and Alex Rodriguez.
Mashing his way to history. pic.twitter.com/PXbZavZaOF
— MLB (@MLB) May 9, 2019
The ball made for one heck of a piece of memorabilia for the lucky fan who obtained it. But according to Angels reporter Jeff Fletcher, the fan declined to meet with either team. Even worse, the fan did not take the proper steps to authenticate the ball, which could significantly hurt his chances of receiving maximum value if he were to sell it.
Albert Pujols will not get the ball from his 2,000th RBI. The fan left the stadium, turning down all kinds of offers from the Tigers and Angels. He can't sell it now, because it wasn't authenticated.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) May 9, 2019
MLB began an authentication program in 2001 to combat the proliferation of phony autographs and memorabilia. They have authenticators at every game who review items to say whether they have been game-used. Home run balls like Pujols’ are marked with a hologram and given a six-digit, two-letter authentication code to be identified. Pujols’ 2,000th RBI ball will not have those designations.
The fan who caught the ball plans to keep it for his child, according to Jeff Riger.
Albert Pujols 2000th RBI ball. Guy who caught it said he’s not giving it up, instead he’s giving it to his kid that will be born in a couple weeks. I told him to sell it back to Pujols so he can give his kid that $$$ instead. pic.twitter.com/3N1FtMdqb9
— Jeff Riger (@riger1984) May 9, 2019
Eli Hyde, the guy who caught the ball said the people who surrounded him looking to acquire the ball said they would not authenticate it if he left the ball park with it rendering it worthless. Hyde was not happy with how the negotiators went about the conversation.
— Jeff Riger (@riger1984) May 9, 2019
A piece of @MLB history! Eli Hydes caught the @PujolsFive home run for his 2,000th MLB RBI…and a chance to meet Albert after the game. pic.twitter.com/ZsojT2HKsM
— Kent French (@KentFrench) May 9, 2019
Maybe the fan is preparing a clever ransom note to get what he wants in return for the ball. His approach to this point seems to be risky.
