'This is our Picasso'
Two groups offer $1 million for 62nd home run
Posted: Tuesday September 08, 1998 09:50 PM
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Completing the collection: Lewis, who is holding the bat McGwire used to hit his first major league homer, is bidding for the 62nd homer AP |
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- If the fan who gets home run No. 62 wants to sell,
bids for the ball started Tuesday at $1 million.
Two separate groups said they are willing to pay $1 million.
"This is our Picasso. This is the greatest piece of sports memorabilia
in the past 50 years," said Mark Lewis, among
the bidders.
Three sports memorabilia collectors are collaborating for one offer,
which would pay $100,000 a year for 10 years. The group also is offering $1
million for the final home run that sets the season record.
"It's instant recognition ability to own this baseball," collector
Steve Ryan said of No. 62.
The other bidder is an unidentified, self-titled "passionate baseball
fan" who says he would auction No. 62 and donate all proceeds to a human
rights group.
The memorabilia group says it would use the ball for promotional
purposes, but would loan the ball to major league baseball and the Hall of
Fame in certain situations.
The Hall of Fame could have the ball during the off-season and during
induction week in late July or early August. The ball also would be
available to any team wishing to display No. 62 during a homestand. Both
loans would be free of charge, the group said.
Mike Davidson, who caught No. 61 Monday, said he intends to give the
ball to McGwire in exchange for an autographed jersey a chance to meet the
star.
Ryan says he doesn't see a fan giving up No. 62 without
compensation.
"Do I think a million dollars will affect someone? Yeah, that changes
your life," said Ryan, president of North Shore Sports.
The anonymous bidder is trying to draw attention to the unsolved rape
and murder of four American church women in El Salvador. He says the
publicity would place greater pressure on the U.S. and Salvadoran
governments to bring the case to justice.
Lewis said he couldn't imagine a fan turning down $1 million -- which
apparently is the group's limit. "I haven't heard of any other
offers," Lewis said. "I won't pay more than $1 million for No. 62."
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