As a bunch of folks predicted, Barry Bonds’ record-breaking home run ball (756) will be sold at auction.
The fan who caught it, 21-year-old Matt Murphy, says he can’t afford to keep it because of the tax consequences. He reportedly said that “several people told him he would be taxed on the souvenir” if he kept it. Maybe he’s reading the tax blogs – most practitioners, including me, believe the ball to be taxable at receipt.
Sotheby’s/SCP Auctions will handle the online auction. You can check it out at http://www.scpauctions.com; the auction will go on from August 28 to September 15. Also on sale will be Bonds’ 755th home run ball which was hit August 4 in San Diego.
