Christian Lopez became instantly famous for being the guy who caught Derek Jeter’s milestone 3000th hit because it was also a home run. But rather than keeping the ball and selling it for an estimated $250,000, Lopez immediately gave it back to the Yankees’ shortstop. In return, he received tickets to the rest of the home games for this year, a gift he said he didn’t need. “I just really wanted to give it back for everything the guy has done for us,” he said. “The experience is just priceless. It’s Jeter’s day, but I’m right there with him. It can’t get any better than that.” So what do you think? Was this a morally virtuous thing to do or a foolish one? Is it simply a matter of property rights? Would you have done the same thing? Does his explanation that he wanted to give Jeter a gift to show his appreciation seem to capture the entirety of the case? If Lopez owned a mortgage-free home and sold it to give the proceeds to Jeter to honor him, would you feel the same way? How much of your answer hinges on the fact that he was essentially lucky to catch the ball rather than truly meritorious in having earned it? How much of your answer depends on the fact that significant hits are routinely taken out of play for players when they do not leave the park? And do you think that Jeter did enough for Lopez in return for this quarter of a million dollar act of generosity? Should Jeter give him $250,000? Would your answer be different if Lopez turned out to be a Christian or if that fact somehow became a note in the incident?
Links:
He gave it back (Peter’s Boat)
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