Aaron Judge's 62nd home run ball to be sold at auction, report says
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. Credit: AP/Tony Gutierrez
Free agent Aaron Judge is going to have his big payday soon. So is the fan who caught Judge’s record 62nd home run ball.
Cory Youmans, the 35-year-old from Dallas who caught Judge’s milestone home run on Oct. 4 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, has decided to sell the ball at auction, according to ESPN.
For an opening bid of $1 million, you, too, can join the auction, which will be held at the end of the month by Goldin Auction house, a New Jersey company that bills itself as “the most trusted destination for collectors.”
The collector who ends up with Judge’s ball could end up paying more than $3 million, Youmans’ lawyer told ESPN.
"We've already had an offer for $3 million," attorney Dave Baron said. "Talking to the auction people, they don't really commit to a number, but they said it just could be significantly higher based on New York, the New York fan base and how crazy it could get at an auction."
Youmans, who is married to sports reporter Bri Amaranthus, has given few interviews since snagging the prized horsehide.
But of the decision to sell the ball at auction, he told ESPN: "It seems fair in the sense it gives anyone that is interested and has the means the opportunity to own it. As a fan, I'm curious to see what it's worth, who buys it and what they do with it."
Judge, after winning the MVP Thursday night, said about Youmans turning down $3 million: "That's a lot of money. But I guess he's got a better plan or thinks he can get some more. He caught the ball. He's the one who made the play out there in leftfield, so it's his right to do what he wants with it. Hopefully, he's making the right decision for him and his family."
Asked if he was going to put in a bid, Judge said: "I haven't signed my free-agent deal yet, so I think that's a little out of my price range right now."
The highest amount paid for a baseball to date is the $3.05 million comic book artist Todd McFarlane spent to get Mark McGwire’s 70th home run ball from the 1998 season.
Youmans said he went to the Yankees-Rangers game that night because he wanted to see Judge in person.
“I am still in awe of his ability,” he said. “As a baseball fan and an American, I'm just so happy Aaron is the face of America's pastime. It's his moment, and he's the right man for it."
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
