When it comes to Ken Griffey Jr.’s 600th home run ball, “Joe” still doesn’t know what to do.
The man who caught the historic ball — identified only as a longtime Florida Marlins season-ticket holder named “Joe” — has not decided between selling the ball or giving it back to Griffey, the Cincinnati Reds slugger who became the sixth player in history to reach the 600-homer plateau on Monday night.
Marlins president David Samson, who says he knows the ticket holder from various team events, met with the man Tuesday and will speak to him again in the coming days. Through the team, Joe has declined to reveal his full identity or release any personal details.
Griffey told the Marlins on Monday night that he would like the ball, and the Reds approached “Joe” about whether the future Hall of Famer could obtain it. Their attempts were rebuffed.
But several Marlins hope that Griffey, at least one day, gets the chance to obtain the ball.
“Come on, this is a baseball,” Florida outfielder Cody Ross said. “Just give it back to Griffey. I mean, geez. Give it to the Hall of Fame or something. Get an autograph from him or get to meet him. It’s getting out of hand, I think. It’s kind of bizarre to me that now they have to label the balls and stuff. They didn’t do that stuff back in the day.”
David Kohler, president of SCP Auctions said Griffey’s 600th could fetch at least $50,000 and perhaps up to $100,000 if put up for sale.
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