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Blue Jays bullpen coach Matt Buschmann decided not to cash in on Aaron Judge’s historic homerun ball.
On Wednesday night, Judge tied Rodger Maris’ American League single-season home run record when he hit a home run against the Blue Jays in Toronto.
61 years since 61.
Aaron Judge has written his name alongside Roger Maris in baseball's record books. pic.twitter.com/1V4Gums34C
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 29, 2022
The ball fell in the Blue Jays bullpen and was caught by Buschmann.
https://twitter.com/MarlyRiveraESPN/status/1575292216934793217
Buschmann immediately sent the ball over to the Yankees bullpen instead of selling it.
Blue Jays bullpen coach Matt Buschmann, who ended up with Aaron Judge’s 61st homer, handed the ball over to Yankees reliever Zack Britton, who walked over from the other ‘pen to retrieve it.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) September 29, 2022
Buschmann is married to NFL Network reporter Sara Walsh, who reacted to the entire ordeal on Twitter.
Bad news is I’m down here in Florida battling a hurricane, but the good news is I can announce my retirement…. pic.twitter.com/gbhFSgDZBL
— Sara Walsh (@Sara_Walsh) September 29, 2022
Oh cool. He just handed that back without checking to see if our house is still here? I’d next like to announce our divorce. pic.twitter.com/37HmHIoomS
— Sara Walsh (@Sara_Walsh) September 29, 2022
Buschmann told his wife that he felt giving the ball back was the right thing to do.
Just a reporter doing work here… per my sources…
Matt Buschmann wasn’t forced to give the ball back but he handed it over to Zack Britton. @Busch26 told me:
“The Judge and Maris family have been flying all over the country. They deserve to have that ball.” #bluejays
— Sara Walsh (@Sara_Walsh) September 29, 2022