Yesterday, we told you that Barry Bonds’ home run record-breaking* ball wouldn’t be heading for the Hall of Fame any time soon. Well, change “not anytime soon” to “Tuesday night”.

(Marc Ecko’s prized possession [pre-branding] on the road to Cooperstown)

The ASSOCIATED PRESS follows up that home run ball #756 arrived in Cooperstown, NY, last evening, compliments of fashion designer Marc Ecko. The Hall earlier reported that talks between themselves and ball owner Ecko had “unfortunately reached an impasse“, when Ecko apparently wanted to present the ball as a loan instead of a gift.

But the designer wonders where the museum ever got that idea:

“I am surprised that the Hall issued a statement that said they would no longer accept the Barry Bonds’ 756th home run baseball. We had been in communication with them just this morning and the Hall did not mention that they would change their position and no longer accept the ball,” he said.

“Based on the Hall of Fame’s previous statements that they would both accept and display the ball, the only open issue we were talking about was the Hall’s recent indication of discomfort in displaying it and addressing the controversy surrounding the record.”

Despite the earlier confusion, the Hall is quite pleased to receive the ball:

“We are very happy to receive the baseball as a donation, and not as a loan,” Hall spokesman Brad Horn said. “We look forward to adding this ball to our permanent collections.”

But those hoping to see the ball on display will have to wait, as the Hall will need to document the new donation, a process which can take weeks.

In the meantime, why not re-read Jackie Robinson’s new plaque?