The rightful owner of Ken Griffey, Jr.’s 600th home run ball, identified only as “Joe,” survived a series of small trials to come away with the prized souvenir.

In addition to having his story corroborated by instant replay, Joe had to survive a tussle at the park, where he dropped a fake ball that he brought to the game as a decoy to fool his fellow fans.

From Jere Longman at THE NEW YORK TIMES (via YAHOO! SPORTS):

Justin Kimball, a 25-year-old Miami man, said he caught Griffey’s milestone home run at Dolphin Stadium and placed the ball in a wool cap. The cap was pulled from his hands, and someone ran away with the ball, Kimball said, according to news reports.

It was not clear whether Kimball claimed that the fugitive was a one-armed man. Or why anybody would be wearing a wool cap in the sweltering heat of Miami.

Kudos to the writer for an excellent reference to The Fugitive.

Police were suspicious of Kimball’s story from the start, and promptly went to the videotape:

Police officers who witnessed the home run said they escorted to safety a man identified only as “Joe,” who possessed the ball and appeared to have caught it with a glove.

“The video was reviewed numerous times with the same conclusion,” according to a statement issued Tuesday by the Miami-Dade police. “The claim of Mr. Kimball is in direct conflict with the video replays and observations of officers on the scene.”

Detective Roy Rutland, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade police, said he doubted that Kimball would face any charges of wrongful impersonation of a souvenir owner.

The irony of replay used to determine the proprietary rights of the ball pales to the brilliance of dropping a decoy ball to elude the angry mob that wanted his ball. From the SUN-SENTINEL:

[Marlins President David] Samson credited Joe for being well organized in his bid to secure the milestone home run ball. He confirmed Joe tossed another ball he had in his possession into the seats to create a diversion so he could slip away unscathed.

Joe, who is clearly more brilliant than us mere mortals, declined to identify himself further. Back to the TIMES:

According to The Miami Herald, “Joe” is a Florida Marlins season-ticket holder since 1993 who is now in his mid-40s and who declined to be identified.

Rob Butcher, a Reds spokesman who met with the fan, said “Joe” reacted as if he had been called by a telemarketer. He would not provide a phone number or any other information.

“I told him Junior would like to have the ball back,” Butcher said in an e-mail message, referring to Griffey, “and he said, ‘Before we go any further, because of my circumstances, I’m going to keep it.’ He said, ‘I have plans for it.’ We never reached a point where he allowed us to offer him anything.”

The ball has obvious value, as it commemorates a milestone in power hitting, achieved by a player who has never openly been suspected of using steroids.

As ridiculous as this whole process was, it was fair. Joe caught that ball, he hung onto it, so he owns it, and can do with it what he chooses. Some people would criticize a fan who withholds the ball for cash, even though that guy pays to see athletes that do exactly the same thing. And for all the trouble Joe went through to keep that ball, I’d say he’s certainly earned it.