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Vote Will Decide 756th Home Run Ball's Destiny

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The Associated Press

Published: September 18, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO - The fate of Barry Bonds' record-breaking home run ball is now in the public's hands after its buyer announced Monday he was taking votes on whether to give the ball to the Hall of Fame, brand it with an asterisk or blast it into space.

Fashion designer Marc Ecko revealed himself as Saturday's winning bidder in the online auction for the ball that Bonds hit last month to break Hank Aaron's record of 755 home runs. The final selling price for No. 756 was $752,467, well above most predictions.

Ecko had not even taken possession of the ball before setting up a Web site that lets visitors vote on which of the three outcomes they think the ball most deserves. He plans to announce the final tally after voting ends Sept. 25.

'I bought this baseball to democratize the debate over what to do with it,' Ecko wrote on the Web site. 'The idea that some of the best athletes in the country are forced to decide between being competitive and staying natural is troubling.'

The 35-year-old Ecko is known for his pop culture pranks, including an infamous Internet video that showed him apparently infiltrating an airport tarmac and spray-painting graffiti on Air Force One. The incident turned out to be a hoax.

But the auction house that handled the sale confirmed that Ecko is indeed the ball's buyer.

'This transaction is happening and is going to be done by the end of the day,' David Kohler, president of SCP Auctions, said Monday.

Kohler called Ecko's decision 'brilliant' and said he had already visited the Web site and voted to send the ball to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

BLUE JAYS: Third baseman Troy Glaus had surgery on his left foot Monday, and first baseman Lyle Overbay will have a procedure next week to remove four screws from his hand.

Glaus has been hobbled by a foot and leg ailments throughout the season, including a painful heel condition called plantar fasciitis. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 12, missing 14 games, then sat out games in May and August.

'From what I understand, the nerve was really restricted. They opened it up, and now it's freed up,' General Manager J.P. Ricciardi said. 'It relieves the pain, relieves the pressure. The doctor is really confident he'll be ready for spring training.'

Glaus batted .262 with 20 homers and 62 RBIs in 115 games. SI.com reported this month that Glaus received performance-enhancing drugs in 2003 and 2004 from a Florida pharmacy under investigation for illegally distributing prescription medications. Glaus has declined to comment.

CARDINALS: Pitcher Mark Mulder might have additional tests on his surgically repaired left shoulder after struggling in all three starts this month.

Trainer Barry Weinberg said Monday that an MRI exam could be scheduled for Mulder, who was to be examined later in the day by St. Louis team physician George Paletta. Mulder, 0-3 with a 12.27 ERA, experienced discomfort during Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

The Cardinals also said outfielder Chris Duncan, who hasn't played much this month due a sports hernia, is scheduled for an operation Thursday.

METS: Now that Pedro Martinez knows what it takes to come back from major shoulder surgery, don't count on him doing it again. He would love to play another three or four years - as long as he avoids serious injury.

'If anything goes wrong: Hasta la vista, baby,' the Mets right-hander said before New York played the Washington Nationals on Monday night.

Martinez was sidelined for most of the season after having surgery last October, but is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA and 17 strikeouts over 16 innings since he came off the disabled list Sept. 3. He feels as wiped out as anyone who's played since the spring.

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