Determined bid for Bonds' 700th HR ball
Dwight Chapin
San Francisco Chronicle
Tuesday, June 7, 2005
Whatever it takes, Gary Thomson is willing to pay the price for a prized piece of baseball history.
As previously reported, Barry Bonds' 700th home run ball is on the block in a Sotheby's and SportsCards Plus auction that will close on Friday, and Thomson, the CEO of BetCRIS.com, the online gaming site that boasts more than 100,000 players in North America, says he's just got to have it.
And will have it, no matter how high the bidding may go.
"We will win this auction, take the ball on a short tour around the country and then donate it to the Baseball Hall of Fame," Thomson said. "Only three people in the history of major-league baseball have reached the exclusive 700 home run club. We don't want this ball to end up in some collector's basement attracting dust."
It seems that Thomson might be looking at a relative bargain, although bidding can escalate rapidly in a national auction.
The Bonds ball originally was sold to an unidentified buyer in October, through Overstock.com, reportedly for more than $800,000.
But, for various reasons, including the fact Bonds' career currently is stalled, it likely will bring much less this time. The initial auction estimate places it in the $100,000-$200,000 range.
Even though Thomson is betting it will be a good deal more affordable this time around, he says, if necessary, the sky is the limit.
A London-based online gambling operation paid $102,000 for the 700th home run hit by the player closest to Ruth on the career home run list, Barry Bonds. Only Bonds, Ruth and all-time leader Henry Aaron have eclipsed the 700-homer mark.
Bonds, who has yet to play this season because of an injured right knee, has 703 home runs. Sportsbook.com said it intends to donate the ball to the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
Sportsbook.com donates Barry Bond's 700th home run ball to Cooperstown museum
by Alan Fein
June 12, 2005 (AXcess News) New York NY - Odds are the baseball Sportsbook.com bought at auction for $85,000 that Barry Bonds had hit, marking his 700th home run, will be appreciated by sports fans who visit baseball's hall of fame in Cooperstown.
Sportsbook.com today purchased Barry Bonds' 700th home run baseball for $85,000 through a public auction held by Sotheby's in New York.
The world's largest sportsbook and online casino intends to offer the ball to baseball's Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
"When you stop to think of all the incredible players throughout baseball's history, it's amazing that only three -- Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds -- have reached the 700 home run plateau," said Alex Czajkowski, Marketing Director, Sportsbook.com. "This ball represents one of the greatest achievements in the history of sports and Sportsbook.com wants to make sure it has a worthy and permanent home. The ball belongs in Cooperstown."
Sportsbook.com has notified the Hall of Fame of its intentions, and hopes to work with Cooperstown to schedule an official presentation later this year. In the meantime, the ball will be taken on a tour across major cities in the United States, where fans will have a chance to see that ball, and have their photo taken with it.
Details of the tour, including cities, dates and events will be announced within the next couple of weeks.
"We have the tour planned, but there are few more items yet to clarify. Details will be announced shortly." said Czajkowski. "Not everyone has a chance to visit the Hall of Fame and we want to make sure as many people as possible have the opportunity to view this piece of baseball history. This ball belongs to the fans and we're happy to give it to them."
