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Guy who caught Aaron Judge record HR ball cost himself tons of money in auction

By Adam Weinrib

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 4: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees smiles as he rounds the bases after hitting his 62nd home run of the season against the Texas Rangers during the first inning in game two of a double header at Globe Life Field on October 4, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. Judge has now set the American League record for home runs in a single season. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 4: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees smiles as he rounds the bases after hitting his 62nd home run of the season against the Texas Rangers during the first inning in game two of a double header at Globe Life Field on October 4, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. Judge has now set the American League record for home runs in a single season. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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Remember Cory Youmans, a VP at Fisher Investments in the Dallas area? Until the end of Sept., there was no reason for Yankees fans to be familiar with Mr. Youmans, unless they were also fans of money (or dedicated members of Bachelor Nation).

That all changed when Youmans caught Aaron Judge’s AL record-setting 62nd home run ball; he left the premises immediately while vacillating back and forth on what he planned to do with the piece of memorabilia.

Unlike the young fans who nabbed Judge’s 60th in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium, it was pretty clear from the outset that Youmans wouldn’t be donating the ball to the slugger, the Baseball Hall of Fame, or science. No. 61 fell into the hands of the Blue Jays’ bullpen catcher; No. 62 ended up with a master investor who took a luxurious jaunt to Italy after the big day. It is what it is.

In the wake of his catch, Youmans was reportedly offered $3 million for his prize, but decided to bet on himself instead and send the ball to auction.

Unlike Judge’s famous bet, it seems like this one isn’t quite a record-breaker. With a few days left in the auction, Youmans’ souvenir sits at $1.2 million, less than half of what he could’ve nabbed if he’d sold weeks ago.

Yankees record-setting Aaron Judge home run ball up for $1.2 million at auction

And you want to be my latex salesman…

As far as safe investments go, a record-setting piece of baseball memorabilia falls somewhere in between Apple and FTX. Historical significance might appreciate over time, but Judge’s Yankees did not go on to win the 2022 World Series, meaning his remarkable year basically ended when this particular baseball nestled in Youmans’ mitts. A regular-season record-setter will never be lost to history, per se, but the significance of the spotlight on Judge’s ball has definitely dimmed in recent weeks.

Instead of striking while the iron was hot — or being magnanimous — it looks like Youmans is poised to pocket a massive sum, but not as massive as it could’ve been.

In other words, he could’ve been 2023 Carlos Correa, but instead will be 2022 Carlos Correa. Bummer.

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