TORONTO – The Rogers Centre customer who has Alex Rodriguez’ 537th home run ball that sent Rodriguez past Mickey Mantle into 13th place on the all-time list wants to talk to Yankee lawyers before he thinks about turning it over.
According to a source, the ball that struck the left-field foul pole landed in the Blue Jays’ bullpen. A person believed to be a bullpen catcher flipped the ball to a fan and said, “Here is A-Rod‘s 537th.”
When a Yankee official approached the fan and asked for the ball, the fan requested a meeting with Yankee lawyers and indicated he wanted to be reimbursed before giving the ball, which isn’t authenticated, up.
It was a far different scene earlier in the game when Derek Jeter led off the first inning with his 200th homer that landed in the Yankees’ bullpen.
Ed Fastook, a member of the Yankees’ security force, was near the pen when Jeter homered and asked pitcher Edwar Ramirez where the ball landed. Ramirez pointed to the ball and it was retrieved, authenticated and given to Jeter.
Yankees remain interested in signing free agent first baseman Richie Sexson when he clears release waivers this week. Sexson, who was cut by Seattle, clears Tuesday or Wednesday depending when the Mariners put him on waivers.
Sexson, who batted .218 with 11 homers and 30 RBIs, was making $14 million this year. After he clears a team can sign him for less than $200,000.
Yankees are interested in Sexson to be a part-time first baseman and DH who could help against lefties.
Looking for a trend to make money on? The Yankees are 5-1 in games after being shut out and have outscored opponents, 36-16, in those games.
In addition to homering to lead off the game, Jeter drove in three runs. He has hit safely in 10 straight games.
Rodriguez’ milestone homer pushed him into the team lead with 19 and was his 47th against the Blue Jays. That’s the second most homers he has hit against any club. Rodriguez has hit 58 against the Angels.
Because he had worked well with Darrell Rasner, Chad Moeller made a rare start behind the plate yesterday.
Moeller, who caught Rasner at Triple-A and in his first five major league starts when Rasner was 3-2 with a 2.67 ERA, started for the first time since June 2 and had five at-bats since then. Since Moeller stopped catching Rasner he was 1-5 with a 7.11 ERA.
“He has the most experience with Rasner,” manager Joe Girardi said. “We will see what happens. Chad is part of the club and he can catch.”
With Jose Molina having two days off and Jorge Posada as the DH yesterday when he went 0-for-3, Girardi was asked if he had decided who catches Andy Pettitte today.
“No, not yet,” Girardi said.
Earlier this week Posada said he informed Girardi he wants to catch more.