Car dealer wins auction for Bonds’ HR ball
Barry Bonds’ 715th home run ball fetched a winning auction bid of $220,100 on Thursday, much better than experts predicted for the shot that moved the troubled San Francisco Giants slugger past Babe Ruth for second place on the career list.
Winning bidder Marc Chase is an exotic car merchant who owns dealerships in La Jolla, Calif., Las Vegas and Silicon Valley, Calif. The 44-year-old Chase plans to pick up the ball from owner Andrew Morbitzer next week. The ball will then be shown off at his car businesses.
“I didn’t think I was going to get it so I was ecstatic, I was over the top,” Chase said. He said the steroid controversy involving Bonds didn’t factor into his decision to bid on the ball.
Morbitzer was waiting in line for beer and peanuts May 28 when Bonds hit the historic home run. He said he was elated at the price the ball fetched.
“For standing in line waiting for a beer and something to eat – you can’t be unhappy with an amount like that,” he said.
For several moments, the ball appeared to be beyond anyone’s reach. It sat lodged on an elevated platform in center field, then trickled off the roof. Morbitzer caught the ball with one hand.
Morbitzer, a 38-year-old marketing director, said he planned to donate 10 percent of the proceeds to the charity Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America.
Mets sign Reyes through 2010
Jose Reyes can count on buying a nice, big house in New York.
The speedy All-Star shortstop signed a $23.25 million, four-year contract extension with the Mets, the sides working quickly this week to ensure him a home through the 2010 season.
Reyes leads the majors in stolen bases and triples and is among the leaders in hits and runs.
The leadoff man is a big reason the Mets have the best record in the league and a whopping edge in the National League East.
The 23-year-old Reyes could have been eligible for salary arbitration after this season, and could have become a free agent following the 2009 season. Instead, he opted for future security.
“I think it’s going to be great for me and my family,” he said from Florida, before the Mets played the Marlins. “I know that I’m going to be there for a long time.”
Reyes had wanted to buy a place in the New York area. Before this deal, “he might’ve been looking at a much more modest home,” agent Peter Greenberg said.
Reyes is making $401,500 this season. His contract includes a $1.5 million signing bonus and a team option at $11 million for the 2011 season.
Red Sox consider Lopez
The Boston Red Sox are talking to Baltimore about a trade for Javy Lopez, hoping the former All-Star could take over as their full-time catcher while Jason Varitek recovers from a knee injury.
“We’re obviously optimistic and hopeful something is about to happen,” said Lopez’s agent, Chuck Berry. “We’ve become aware of the Boston possibility, and there have been discussions.”
Varitek had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and was expected to start rehabilitation right away. The Red Sox have not given an indication of when their captain might return.
The Red Sox are competing with New York for the American League East title while the Orioles have fallen out of contention.
At 35, Lopez is in the final season of a $22.5 million, three-year contract he signed as a free agent with the Orioles in December 2003. He got that deal after hitting .328 with 43 home runs and 109 RBIs for Atlanta, his third All-Star season for the Braves.
Clearing the bases
The Texas Rangers said they would “reserve judgment” on the drunken driving arrest of pitcher Vicente Padilla, who will continue to play until his case is resolved. Padilla was arrested July 7 in Dallas County, according to court records. … Arizona pitcher Brandon Webb was sent back to Phoenix with soreness in his right elbow, and the All-Star is expected to miss his next start.