Embrace Debate: What Do You Do if You're An MLB Bullpen Catcher And You Catch Aaron Judge's 62nd Home Run?

If an opposing team's bullpen catcher, earning lets say $90,000, catches one of Judge's milestone home run balls is there anything stopping him, unwritten or actual rules, from keeping and selling the ball? 

I said this a couple times already but it's worth repeating. There's really no shortage of Aaron Judge conversation topics at this point. One of the best offensive seasons ever and probably one of the best pro seasons of any sport in North American history. And it seems like he's only getting better as the season gets going. Just imagine the story arc should he carry the Yankees to #28. Hard to consider any other alternative if you're a Yankees fan. When that peak is on the table, quite literally everything else is disappointing. So in a way I get the weight these people carry. Nobody cares about an ALCS when you got a guy like Aaron Judge walking around in pinstripes and that's just a fact. 

What's up for debate is the role of the bullpen catcher should he end up with the ball. The Yankees probably pay more than $90k but generally speaking that sounds pretty reasonable. Let's say it's $100K or whatever. Or it could be $120k or $80k or maybe there's bonuses. I don't know the exact dollar amount but I am positive it is significantly less than what an auction would pay for that home run ball. People are saying $5M+ are you fuckin kidding me? 

That bullpen catcher is walking out the front door, full gear with the spikes scraping the concrete. Right to wherever you take precious sports memorabilia. I don't know the move after you leave Yankee stadium exactly but you absolutely get the fuck out of the Bronx and start a new life that doesn't see you taking 25 road trips a year, snorting hot sauce and accepting random challenges for extra cash. That's a romantic life on paper but most of the bullpen catchers that have gone on record tell preposterous stories. You gotta want it to be in it. 

$5,000,000 landing in your glove? That's a sign. It's time to go home. 

As for property rights, I'm not expert but Anthony Rizzo held the game 7 ball from the 2016 World Series. Then he gave it to Tom Ricketts as a sign of good faith. Nobody forced him to do anything. I would imagine similar yet broader rights apply to the bullpen catcher. Same time he's a staff member fulfilling his employment responsibilities. He's not on a performance contract which would give him more flexibility. He's an at-will employee so there's more room to be pushed around in the courtroom. Knowing the Yankees they would probably pursue him til death but that's just a hunch. People like the Yankees love suing other people. 

Go ahead and try. If I catch that thing I'm long gone. $5M may not be enough for some of you heathens but it's plenty for me. 

Although I'd keep Starting 9 going because I love talking baseball with Jake. Check out today's episode with legendary MLB insider Ken Rosenthal