If you don’t know who Zack Hample is, read here, here and here.
Hample caught Mike Stanton’s home run in the 8th inning of last night’s Mets/Marlins game. He proceeded to celebrate like he’s never caught a home run ball before.
Here’s why I like him: Catching a home run ball is tough. I’ve been to many games and never come close. I’ve been lucky enough to have someone give me a batting practice ball from Shea Stadium as a few players tossed her one each. But to collect over 4,000 balls is beyond luck. It’s beyond chance. It’s downright crazy.
I know Hample plans and begs and does everything under his power to acquire these balls, but it’s still not something to be laughed at. It’s quite an “accomplishment” and a testament to a die-hard fan who really knows what he want to do with his life(?).
Why I don’t: Really? This is your life’s work? Collecting over 4,000 baseballs from stadiums and then celebrating like it’s your first? Come on, kid. Act like you’ve been there before.
If I managed to catch one, or anyone else for that matter, they would be allowed to dance and sing and high five everyone around them with glee. You, you should just go sit back down and notch another stadium off your list in your notebook.
But what really irks me is that over the years you’ve been doing this, you’ve taken away that joy of catching a home run ball or being tossed a BP ball by a player from 4,000 other kids and fans. You’ve felt the joy thousands of times over that some other people never will, because of your strange and obsessive quest to obtain those little spherical objects.
Frankly, I say give it up. Let the rest of us have your fun. You’ve made your mark on baseball and society. It’s our turn now.