By Canadian Press

Fans pack outfield seating for a chance at catching a piece of baseball history

Sep 26, 2022 | 7:10 PM

TORONTO — Justin Morgan and his father arrived early at Rogers Centre on Monday to stake out a spot in the 200-level outfield standing-room section, hoping to catch a piece of baseball history.

Sporting a white Blue Jays jersey and with leather glove at the ready, all Morgan needed was Yankees slugger Aaron Judge to co-operate and hit his 61st home run of the season.

“We were watching all weekend hoping maybe he’d hit one more so we could have the record-breaker here,” Morgan said. “But it’s just as good to have the one that could tie Roger Maris.”

Judge has been on the cusp of tying the American League single-season home run record for almost a week. Entering the three-game series opener in Toronto, the slugger had gone five straight games without a homer.

He’s aiming to pull even with Maris, who hit 61 homers in 1961.

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“Any time the Jays are in the race through September, it’s a great atmosphere to be in,” said Pete Devcich, a longtime Yankees fan from Toronto. “When you add the Aaron Judge 61-62 chase, it just adds that extra bit of flair. It’s a treat to be here.”

A hot topic of discussion among fans who took in batting practice was what they’d do if they caught the historic home run ball. An exchange for memorabilia is a common practice but with collectors willing to pay big bucks, it may be tempting to sell it on the open market.  

Joseph Moltschanow of Mississauga, Ont., said a signed ball and a meet-and-greet with the baseball star would be enough.

“It’s not for me to keep,” he said from his seat in the sixth row of the 200 level. “It’s something he deserves. He’s worked hard for it.”

Morgan, meanwhile, said he’d take some time before making a decision.

“We would hold off 24 hours and let the dust settle,” he said. “Take the best offer that came and then my Dad and I would split it 50-50.”

Specially marked baseballs were used when Judge was at the plate on Monday night. The balls were identifiable and could be easily authenticated. 

If the ball is caught by a spectator, Yankees security officials would contact stadium security for discussions on the possibility and interest in having the fan return the ball to the team, a club spokesman said. 

Some sports networks have done cut-ins to their programming in recent days whenever Judge has gone to bat. 

Attendance was strong at Rogers Centre Monday night but it was not quite a sellout. The press box and photographer bays were packed with many American media members coming north for the series. 

“I think he’s a great face of the game, a representative of the game, he does so many things that you wish your best players would do,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. “So I think it’s great. I think it’s more attention on our sport, more eyeballs on our sport and it’s documenting something that almost never happens. 

“I think it’s important for me as I say this right now, to try to appreciate that. Really appreciate what a magical season he has put forth to this point.” 

Barry Bonds set the all-time single-season record with 73 home runs in 2001.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2022.

Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press