What would you do? (Sports Story)

[SteverinoNY!]

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/m...ory?id=6752505

As many of you are probably aware due to the massive amount of media coverage, Derek Jeter, the New York Yankees shortstop recently earned his 3000th hit (on a home run, as a part of a 5-5 game) and the fan who caught the ball (which was potentially worth $400,000) to Jeter and the Yankees without asking for anything in return. As a form of repayment, Christian Lopez (the fan who caught the ball) was given 4 tickets to the Legends Suite behind home plate (great seats I might add), 4 tickets to a luxury box for every home game between the day he caught the ball and the World Series, and several pieces of signed Derek Jeter memorabilia as well as the chance to meet Jeter and other Yankees in the clubhouse. Following the story breaking, several people, both regular folks like you and I and sports radio personalities said that Christian was a fool for returning the ball to Jeter and not selling it. The question I propose is: Would you sell the baseball or return the ball to one of your heroes without expectation of compensation?

Also, as an aside, I understand that it is necessary to be taxed on the gifts he received from the Yankees, but the part of the story that bothered me was that several hundred people placed calls to the IRS demanding that he be taxed on the gifts. Do people really have so much time on their hands that they think this is okay? The good news is Miller High Life (shitty beer, but a good company) is going to cover his tax bill up to the legal maximum and Modell's Sporting Goods is going to donate 5% of all their sales on Yankee themed gear for the remainder of the summer to cover the rest of the tax bill plus to help him with his student loans (Lopez is a recent graduate of St. Lawrence University with over 100k in student loans).

[HYHYBT]

That's very nice of them! Of course, their covering the taxes probably *also* counts as taxable income, and so on forever...

But really, what sort of person goes around reporting *other* people's income to the IRS (unless it's part of their job)?

[Andara Bledin]

To all those people who are full of piss and vinegar over their jealousy over his good fortune: Fuck you, you petty vindictive pissant assholes.

The guy is obviously a massive fan, and the things he received for just handing the ball over are likely worth far more to him than the cash for the ball would have been (and, seriously, how could you sell that ball if you really were a huge fan?).

I hope it really sticks in those assholes craws that not only is he getting all of those goodies for being a decent human being, but because they were such douchebags about it, he's getting even more goodies.

^-.-^

[Hyena Dandy]

I don't think its entirely jealousy. There's also probably some Red Sox fans who are upset than anything god happens to a Yankees fan.

Look, I love Boston, but we have some real assholes here.

[AdminAssistant]

There are probably also a few people pissed off that this ball is now in Jeter's possession and will likely stay in his personal collection or go to the Baseball Hall of Fame, instead of out on the private market where they could buy it.

[bainsidhe]

Would he not have to pay taxes on a $400,000 ball? Finders keepers (or catcher's keepers), except I'm sure Uncle Sam will still demand payment. And wouldn't you hate to be the recipient of one of those tickets to tag along to the game? (Since one person can't use 4 tickets by himself, after all). No doubt people will be calling for the IRS to tax them too.

I'm not a sports fan, so without a doubt I'd sell the thing once I discovered what it was worth. If I didn't know what it was worth, I'd have handed it over saying, "Sure, take it!".

I'm glad this has gotten as much media as it did. Now the guy is getting some wonderful tickets and got to meet his favorite players. On top of that, he's getting help with his student loans. Let people be angry and jealous, eventually the furor will die down and the guy still has an awesome memory. Good for him.

[Rageaholic]

Since I'm not a huge sports fan, I would sell it to someone who is. But that's just me. I'm assuming this guy had a stable job and could support himself so perhaps he didn't need the extra money.

As for the people who are calling the IRS on him? That's just being a dick. I hate those who are hell bent on trying to spoil anyone's good fortune. I can see why they'd think it was foolish, but don't rain on his parade, assholes.

[mikoyan29]

IF I were to catch something that was a milestone like this, I would give it to the player because he earned. I just happened to get lucky. And if it gave me a chance to meet that player...that would be cool.

As for the IRS, how can they tax it as if it were $400,000, as it is not worth that unless it actually sells for that much. I can certainly understand them taxing the value of the suites and what not...but not the ball itself. I'm willing to be a smart tax lawyer would figure out a way out of this, since it technically belongs to the team anyway....or something.

[bara]

Im of the opinion that he shouldnt have to pay one cent of a gift tax. Its not like this guy was out to make a profit or anything. I think the IRS and all the people that called about it shoudl go straight to hell after soaking in kerosene.... thats just my opinion though.

[Sleepwalker]

I'd sell the ball, but I am not a fan. If I were a fan, I'd have a different perspective, obviously.

[bainsidhe]

As for the IRS, how can they tax it as if it were $400,000, as it is not worth that unless it actually sells for that much.

What about houses? You have to pay property taxes based on an assessed value, regardless of what you actually paid for it or could sell it for. I know that isn't the best example, but it makes me wonder. Just like the folks who win a new car. They could pay 20K for the car, brand new at a dealer, but the "list price" is 30K and that's what they'd have to pay taxes on.

But you're right, if he'd chosen to keep the ball for himself, it'd be smart to hire a lawyer.

[Greenday]

Being a big Yankees fan and loving Jeter, I would have given it to him. But the only thing I would have asked for is to be able to give it to him personally and meet some other players. No gifts or anything. Nothing that costs anyone money.

[Andara Bledin]

Lopez didn't ask for anything in return; he, like you, just wanted Jeter to have the ball. He said that Jeter earned it with all his hard work and practice, and he (Lopez) just happened to be lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. All he wanted was a chance to meet him and maybe get some autographed swag while there.

^-.-^

[Cat]

Oh! So happy someone started this thread, as I have been in a debate with a realative of mine.

Her father actually wrote a letter to the editor about the fan returning the ball. He was of the thought the fan was an idiot and should have kept it and gotten a "nice little nest egg". The gal I was debating with agreed, saying the ball was "public property," and tha fan should have sold it., and said Jeter should not haven taken it back.

Um, the fan CHOSE to return it (I would as well) and just wanted meet Jeter. Only thing I would have wanted was an autographed ball. I would have asked for one, not demanded, lol. I wouldn't haven taken the luxory tickets. (taxes, ugh)

I ended my debate with a comment "I liked baseball when it was about the game," (meaning no greed involved) and it went over her head, ha!

If the fan wanted to sell the ball, I wouldn't have held it against him...I just can't stand the people who whined about him returnin it. Me thinks they are jealous.

[Boozy]

Here's an idea: How's about Derek Jeter, who made $15 million last year in salary alone, just buy the damn ball? That would have been a classy thing to do.