A Chula Vista man is now the proud owner of the ball tied to Fernando Tatis’ Friday night second homer, which made Tatis the first player with back-to-back, two home run games against Cy Young Award winners. The 22-year-old also homered twice – on the anniversary of his father’s same-inning, two grand slams at Dodger Stadium.
Chula Vista resident Oscar Garcia was at Dodger Stadium, standing seven rows back from where the ball landed.
His nephew, Jose Garcia Jr., went for the ball but getting his hands on it did not come easy. Another fan wanted it, too.
“So, I go for it and I get tackled and she starts biting at my ear," Jose Garcia said. “I get the ball, hold onto it, stand back up, show it to my tios (uncles) in triumph; walk it all the way back to them, getting booed but I didn’t care.”
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Jose handed the ball to Oscar who is a huge San Diego Padres fan. This was also considered a gift for Oscar. His birthday was a week ago.
Oscar told NBC 7 he's received several offers -- one for as much as $500 to buy the ball -- but he has turned down every single one.
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“I’m not gonna sell it,” Oscar said. “It means a lot to me and now to the family cause it’s gonna stay in the family."
All he wants now is a little ink on his new cowhide.
He also had a message for Tatis: “I know you hit this home run, it probably means something to you, but if you want to sign it to me, I’d be glad.”
NBC 7 has reached out to the Padres to see if Tatis will sign the ball for Oscar.
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