[ThePundit]

NEW YORK (AP) -- A lifelong Yankees fan who drained his bank account to buy season tickets caught some cowhide that could be worth thousands -- the ball that Alex Rodriguez hit for his 500th home run.

Walter "Sonny" Kowalczyk, 29, was hiding out with his family Sunday in Trenton, N.J., while he figured out what to do with the now legendary ball.

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"He doesn't want to be robbed," said his brother, Brian. "He's going to lie low for a few days, and then he's going to surface with it."

Although the value of baseball memorabilia has stagnated recently because of the widespread federal inquiry into steroids use, items such as home run balls and jerseys can still fetch steep prices at auction.

Rodriguez told The Daily News he would like to get the ball back, but that he hasn't spoken to Kowalczyk.

"It's his ball. I think it's obvious that I would love to have the ball, but we'll see what happens," Rodriguez said in Monday editions of the News. "I'm just going to let it sit for a few days."

Jason Zillo, a spokesman for the Yankees, said the team is willing to make an exchange with Kowalczyk for the ball. "If his favorite player is Roger Clemens, I think Roger Clemens would give him some stuff," he said.

Kowalczyk grew up near Trenton and is a graduate labor relations student at Rutgers University. His MySpace page says he makes $30,000 a year.

"I am like a more intelligent version of Seinfeld, yet I can be all the characters in the show," he wrote on the site, according to the News. "I am an intellectual, or someone who does a great job pretending to be."

Brian Kowalczyk said that if his brother were doing better financially, he would donate the ball to the Hall of Fame. But he said his brother needed a break.

"He spent all his money to have these Yankees season tickets. I was arguing with him for that," he continued. "There's nothing I can say now."

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

You know, I don't blame this guy. I wouldn't part with it for a penny less than 100 grand.

[simple simon]

i know i would want something, but i think i would for sure give A-rod the chance to get it first ...... seems like the right thing to do

[MVB]

Man, that's like hitting the lottery... and then being asked to give the winning ticket away... No way I'd give that ball up unless I was paid substantially (sorry, Alex).

[LSC9901]

I'm sure to the record holder it would be great to have the ball but when you have to pay these ridiculous prices to get them back .... it is senseless to me. The team should offer a lifetime ticket or something to that effect but paying cash is like paying ransom.

[john255]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Yankees fan who caught Alex Rodriguez's 500th home run ball considers his options - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

You know, I don't blame this guy. I wouldn't part with it for a penny less than 100 grand.

i think he might wana hold on to it if he needs the money

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by john255

i think he might wana hold on to it if he needs the money

Yeah, the guy only makes $30k a year. He might need the money that he can get from the sale of this ball to pay off some bills or something. I'm sure he's a fan, but fandom doesn't take care of the credit card payments or the grocery store bills.

[Nuke]

Originally Posted by simple simon

i know i would want something, but i think i would for sure give A-rod the chance to get it first ...... seems like the right thing to do

Plus I would think that A-Rod would pay the most since he's loaded and would have the most incentive to want to buy the ball off this guy.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

I wonder what the taxes will be on the sale of the ball?

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I'm sure to the record holder it would be great to have the ball but when you have to pay these ridiculous prices to get them back .... it is senseless to me. The team should offer a lifetime ticket or something to that effect but paying cash is like paying ransom.

And what about what A-Rod is going to do? He is going to opt out of a 250 million dollar contract that pays him on average of 25 million so some team can pay him 30 million - a year.

This guy should get every last penny. And not think twice. And I can't wait to hear from one of these players that the guy is being greedy.

[bears9]

If A-Rod wants the ball he should pay full price.

[john255]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Yeah, the guy only makes $30k a year. He might need the money that he can get from the sale of this ball to pay off some bills or something. I'm sure he's a fan, but fandom doesn't take care of the credit card payments or the grocery store bills.

i mean if arod wants to make a 50 000 or more donation he can its not hurting a-rods bank

[azrael492]

He better sell it off fairly quick I think. It will lose a lot of value when A-Rod hits his next milestone. Who would want his 500 ball when they can have the 600.

[bears9]

Originally Posted by azrael492

He better sell it off fairly quick I think. It will lose a lot of value when A-Rod hits his next milestone. Who would want his 500 ball when they can have the 600.

Very good point A-Rod will get 600 in 2009