Pro Sports

Fan who caught Aaron Judge's 62nd HR offered $2M for ball

Posted October 06, 2022 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, left, watches his solo home, his 62nd of the season, with Texas Rangers catcher Sam Huff during the first inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. With the home run, Judge set the AL record for home runs in a season, passing Roger Maris. (AP Photo/LM Otero) The Associated Press

The owner of a sports memorabilia auction house says he has offered $2 million to the fan who caught Aaron Judge's American League-record 62nd home run.

JP Cohen, president of Memory Lane Inc. in Tustin, California, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he has texted and emailed Cory Youmans, the man who caught Judge's milestone shot Tuesday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Cohen says Youmans has not yet replied.

'œI feel the offer is way above fair, if he is inclined to sell it,'ť Cohen said in a telephone interview with the AP on Wednesday.

Youmans grabbed the historic souvenir on the fly as it sailed into the front row of section 31 in left field. The homer pushed Judge past Roger Maris for the AL season record - a mark many consider baseball's 'œclean'ť standard because the only National League players who hit more have been tarnished by ties to steroids.

Youmans, who is from Dallas, works in the financial world. He was asked Tuesday what he planned to do with the prize while security personnel whisked him away to have it authenticated.

'œGood question. I haven't thought about it,'ť he said.

The record price for a home run ball is $3 million, paid for Mark McGwire's record 70th from the 1998 season.

Cohen had previously pledged to offer $2 million for Judge's 62nd homer. He said his company has a good relationship with the Yankees and it would be willing to loan the ball to the team for an exhibit. He added the team has frequently exhibited items owned by Memory Lane at Yankee Stadium.

'œWe did make an offer of $2 million and that offer is still valid,'ť Cohen said.

After the Yankees lost 3-2, Judge said he didn't have possession of the home run ball.

'œI don't know where it's at,'ť he said. 'œWe'll see what happens with that. It would be great to get it back, but that's a souvenir for a fan. He made a great catch out there, and they've got every right to it.'ť

Youmans was among the crowd of 38,832, the largest to watch a baseball game at the 3-year-old ballpark.

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New York Yankees' Aaron Judge stands in the dugout after his solo home run during the first inning in the second baseball game of the team's doubleheader against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. With the home run, Judge set the AL record for home runs in a season at 62, passing Roger Maris. (AP Photo/LM Otero) The Associated Press

Fans reach for a foul ball by New York Yankees' Aaron Judge during the second inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero) The Associated Press

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge follows through on a solo home run, his 62nd of the season, as Texas Rangers catcher Sam Huff, left, and umpire Randy Rosenberg, rear, look on in the first inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. With the home run, Judge set the AL record for home runs in a season, passing Roger Maris. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) The Associated Press

New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton rounds second after hitting a solo home run, his 62nd of the season, in the fifth inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. With the home run, Judge set the AL record for home runs in a season, passing Roger Maris. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) The Associated Press

New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson (28) talks with right fielder Aaron Judge (99) as he leaves the game in the second inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) The Associated Press

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