The Philadelphia Phillies offered a young fan the chance to meet Harrison Bader following their 9-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Friday night. This gesture followed a disagreement over a home run ball hit by Bader during the game.
In the fourth inning at loanDepot Park, Bader sent a solo home run into the left-field seats. Several fans competed for the baseball, but a man ultimately retrieved it and then handed it to a young boy, embracing him. Both were sporting Phillies apparel, and it was a special day for the boy as it was his birthday.
Soon after, a woman, who was also wearing Philadelphia gear, approached the scene and seemed to express anger towards the man, who subsequently took the ball from the boy’s glove and handed it to her.
It isn’t clear from videos circulating on social media who initially secured the ball when it landed.
Latter in the game, a Marlins staff member gifted the boy a prize pack and another baseball, which was met with applause from nearby fans. Ultimately, the boy departed with a signed bat from Bader, who met with him outside the Phillies’ clubhouse after the game.
Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World and featured on CNBC’s “The Profit,” later shared on his X account that he would cover the expenses for the young fan and his family to attend the World Series.
“Oh, and you just won an RV as well,” he posted.
The incident rapidly gained traction on social media, occurring just days after another controversial memorabilia moment where a man was criticized for taking a hat from a young fan at the U.S. Open, worn by tennis player Kamil Majchrzak.
He apologized on social media on Monday and said he has returned it.
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