dplettn
04-17-2015, 09:10 AM
Aroldis Chapman's 309th career "K" was fouled from play one pitch after the 3 fastball "K" of Yasiel Puig in the Cubans' 1st Meeting.
I personally and with tremendous focus watched the ball go around the horn after the K and be pitched AGAIN by Chapman. I knew at the time I was watching an historically significant game used baseball and I'd seen many times previously that such baseballs were not authenticated with relevance to the important play, particularly at sold out games where Reds Authentics was focused on merchandising a lot of bases, etc. It was Great Eight reunion night at GABP.
The same ball was fouled back by Adrian Gonzalez on the very next pitch and MLB authenticated to the pitch upon which it left play.
Here is the ball in the Reds HOF:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e1ec9xk964qris5/PuigBallinHOF.MP4?dl=0
Chappy ended up striking out the side that night, but it was the Puig "K" which was qualified him in what eventually became an MLB record streak of relief appearances with at least 1 strike out.
Some may have seen this ball being marketed recently. Having myself witnessed the events in person first hand, please know I have no need for anonymity in this case and the notarized provenance letter I wrote about the ball includes my personal information. That letter also details exactly when the ball was signed and inscribed with the speed of the three K pitches, batters name, and the career "K" number by Aroldis Chapman.
I am (of course) the person who purchased the ball from Reds Authentics. Myself, the Reds HOF, and the company currently marketing the ball are the only three entities to have had custody of the ball since it left Great American Ballpark.
I personally and with tremendous focus watched the ball go around the horn after the K and be pitched AGAIN by Chapman. I knew at the time I was watching an historically significant game used baseball and I'd seen many times previously that such baseballs were not authenticated with relevance to the important play, particularly at sold out games where Reds Authentics was focused on merchandising a lot of bases, etc. It was Great Eight reunion night at GABP.
The same ball was fouled back by Adrian Gonzalez on the very next pitch and MLB authenticated to the pitch upon which it left play.
Here is the ball in the Reds HOF:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e1ec9xk964qris5/PuigBallinHOF.MP4?dl=0
Chappy ended up striking out the side that night, but it was the Puig "K" which was qualified him in what eventually became an MLB record streak of relief appearances with at least 1 strike out.
Some may have seen this ball being marketed recently. Having myself witnessed the events in person first hand, please know I have no need for anonymity in this case and the notarized provenance letter I wrote about the ball includes my personal information. That letter also details exactly when the ball was signed and inscribed with the speed of the three K pitches, batters name, and the career "K" number by Aroldis Chapman.
I am (of course) the person who purchased the ball from Reds Authentics. Myself, the Reds HOF, and the company currently marketing the ball are the only three entities to have had custody of the ball since it left Great American Ballpark.