Albert Pujols's 2,000th ball: the Tigers fan changes his mind, decides to give the ball to the Angels slugger

The angels slugger Albert Pujols recently got his 2000th career RBI thanks to a home run at Comerica Park against the Tigers. As noted in this space, a Tigers fan named Ely Hydes has recovered the baseball and chose to keep him rather than give him Pujols in exchange for the usual draw of a signed bat, etc.. Hydes arrived at this decision despite the demands of both clubs and apparently despite his insistence that he did not wish to obtain money for the ball. Hydes instead said that he would give it to his brother, to a fan of the Cardinals or to his unborn child.

Well, it seems that Mr. Hydes took the time to think and changed his mind. This is Tony Paul's scoop of Detroit News:

A day later, with time for reflection, Hydes said that he had changed his mind. He plans to give the ball to Pujols or the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

"I've slept on it," says Hydes The Detroit News by phone Friday night. "All I wanted was to sleep on it, I slept on it and I woke up and I think (Pujols) is a class number.

"It's not my player, it's not my guy, I do not deserve the ball.

"I've reconsidered, one hundred percent, I'll give it to Pujols or the Hall of Fame."

And before you ask, no, this is not a money grab.

"I do not want money," said Hydes.

For what it was worth, Pujols, shortly after learning that he would not receive the ball, did not seem too worried:

Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Pujols, informed of the change of heart, says that he no longer wants the ball:

"If he does not want the ball," said Pujols, "he can give the ball to Cooperstown, hope everyone will be happy.

"But I do not want him, he deserves it, it's his decision."

One problem, however, is that the MLB was not able to authenticate the ball after the home run. It is possible that Cooperstown – where Pujols will one day have a plaque – does not want the balloon either. In this case, Hydes can be "stuck" with her. At this point, who knows.

Paul's story says more, including how much a fan of Angels would have offered Hydes for the ball.