First career home runs in the MLB are supremely memorable moments, but Triston Casas’s will be remembered for a wildly different reason.
On Tuesday, Casas launched his first ever career home run over the wall for the Boston Red Sox, a two-run blast that put the visitors one run behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the second. Pretty cool, right? Well, this is where things get interesting.
Initially, it seemed as if the fan that caught Casas’s first home run refused to relinquish the ball! The fan — wearing a Rays shirt, which is important for later — first denied the Tampa Bay mascot, Raymond. Then, he was later seen surrounded by Rays staff, clearly in negotiations for the ball.
Later, NESN sideline reporter Jahmai Webster caught up with the fan and the story that unfolded is truly unique. The fan, named Jordan, is actually a Chicago White Sox fan and caught the ball while eating his chicken wings, of all things.
The fan who caught Triston Casas' first career home run has turned it into a hostage situation pic.twitter.com/SQHqZ82BTM
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 7, 2022
There’s so much to unpack here. From being an undercover White Sox fan to not knowing whose home run ball he caught, this is a wild tale.
Wings and a HR ball? Consider yourself lucky pic.twitter.com/aFgZOLNPty
— Cut4 (@Cut4) September 6, 2022
Eventually the swap was made and Jordan received a signed bat from Casas and balls signed by Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers. According to Red Sox beat reporter Ian Browne, Jordan wasn’t holding the ball hostage, he was just waiting to give the ball to staff to deliver it to Casas!
Just spoke to the 23 year old who caught the home run ball. It was a little misconstrued that he was holding the ball hostage. He was told to wait for people to come to him rather than deliver the ball. The swap is for a signed bat from Casas, balls signed by Bogaerts, Devers.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) September 7, 2022
Wow, what a story! As expected, MLB fans were quite puzzled at the proceedings as they unfolded.
MLB fans were baffled at this bizzare turn of events on Triston Casas’s first career home run
TRISTON CASAS HIT HIS FIRST MAJOR LEAGUE HOME RUN AND THE RAYS SENT DJ KITTY TO TRY TO GET IT AND THE RAYS FAN WHO CAUGHT IT WON’T GIVE IT UP pic.twitter.com/xp3Iwd8mTf
— Lauren Willand (@lalalalaurrrren) September 6, 2022
giving us Jordan’s a bad rep man https://t.co/hb5z2C4Jik
— Jordan Cicchelli (@jordancicchelli) September 7, 2022
Triston Casas should go out into right field and get the ball himself – I'm sure the guy would give it up then.
— Thomas Carrieri (@Thomas_Carrieri) September 6, 2022
What exactly is going on here? Give the rookie his first HR ball back. https://t.co/AK66D145sN
— Dodgers Andrew (@DodgersAndrew) September 7, 2022
Come on. Give the guy his first home run ball. https://t.co/pSwyDeS2JC
— Amanda (@AmandaDianeM) September 7, 2022
Give Triston Casas the baseball, bro 😐#DirtyWater #RaysUp #RedSox #Rays #MLB pic.twitter.com/RDVR4In0dX
— Baseball Today (@dailymlbtweets) September 6, 2022
This guy… https://t.co/WZO11TRqJf
— Brian M (@briski715) September 7, 2022
That dude didn't know who Triston Casas was until 5 minutes ago. Give up the ball, chief.
— Red Sox L.A. 🇺🇦 (@RedSoxLA) September 6, 2022
I can't believe this fan is refusing to give Triston Casas' first career home run ball back. What a clown.
— Jon Helmkamp (@JonHelmkamp) September 6, 2022
Yet some were on the fan's side!
I kinda love this guy. Gotta respect the open refusal to do the right thing with everyone watching https://t.co/V23QQ6AlAR
— Kevin Hargrave (@KSHargrave) September 7, 2022
You have to respect the hell out of this https://t.co/iqoC55wnSR
— Shoresy (@d0ntatme69) September 7, 2022
I would’ve asked for a brand new Subaru Outback or a Mazda CX-50 https://t.co/6P3x4YACvI
— Jay Arnold (@JArnoldTAMU85) September 7, 2022
