Blue Jays' fan who caught historic Addison Barger grand slam ball undecided on what to do with it
Photo credit: Austin Jenkins - Supplied
23-year-old Toronto Blue Jays fan Austin Jenkins is undecided on what to do with Addison Barger's historic grand slam ball from Game 1 of the World Series.
For every Blue Jays fan who has been following this playoff run, they've got a story lined up about an experience they've had watching the team this past month.
First there was Toronto native Michael Angeletti was sitting in the front row out in left field when he caught George Springer's iconic Game 7 game winning three-run blast to put the Blue Jays up 4-3 against the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS.
And now Georgetown, Ont., native Austin Jenkins, who just might be able to top them all when he caught Addison Barger's home run, which was the first grand slam in World Series history.
Here is the backstory for context: Last Thursday at 10:30 p.m., Jenkins picked up his phone with a surprise call from his father.
«I got a call out of the blue from my dad asking if I was sitting down,» Jenkins recalled in an interview with Offside. «He told me we were going to Game 1 of the World Series, and I was in complete shock.»
Stepping into the second row of section 103B alongside family and friends, Jenkins didn't quite know what to expect.
And then a moment that he'll never forget ended up staring him right in the face.
Addison Barger hit the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history.
With the Blue Jays already up 5-2 in the sixth inning of Game 1 last Friday, pinch hitter Addison Barger stepped to the plate for Toronto and launched the ball right to Jenkins.
POV: YOU CAUGHT ADDISON BARGER's GRAND SLAM BALL 🫨 (@Austinjenk44)
In the midst of the chaos of the crowd, the lifelong Blue Jays fan emerged from the wreck triumphantly lifting the ball from Barger's home run, the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history.
«The emotions of the moment still haven't cooled down. It was and is the highest adrenaline rush I'll ever feel in my life,» Jenkins added.
«Being able to now say I am a part of Blue Jays and MLB history is just surreal. Being able to celebrate in the moment with my brother and have him lift me up and get the photos people took around us is something I'll be thankful for for the rest of my life.»
Jenkins undecided on what to do with it amidst all his emotions
Often, important home run balls either make their way back to a player, the team, or even the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, usually in exchange for a signed jersey, free tickets, or some sort of other compensation for the fans who end up with it.
A member of the Blue Jays reached out to connect Jenkins to Barger and his agent, but the fan still isn't quite sure what the best course of action is.
On the memorabilia market, game-used items like balls and bats, particularly of historical importance, can often resell for tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
«I still haven't made any decisions on what is going to be done with the ball,» Jenkins admitted. «Once my emotions calm down a bit, and I can fully think with a clear mind, I will be able to make a decision.
«Being able to have a piece of MLB history is something I've always dreamed of, so definitely need to let my emotions calm before any decision is made.»
The Blue Jays and Dodgers face off in Game 3 of the World Series tonight at 8:00 PM ET, with the series tied at one game apiece.
Credit: Adam Laskaris
Source: This article first appeared on the Daily Hive
Toronto Blue Jays fan who caught Barger grand slam ball deciding what to do with it
Source: This article first appeared on the Daily Hive
Toronto Blue Jays fan who caught Barger grand slam ball deciding what to do with it
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