Hollister
– Hollister resident Timothy Murphy’s lawsuit claiming Barry
Bonds’ historic 700th home run ball was unjustly stolen from him
has thrust the local man into the media limelight, with phone calls
coming in from Jay Leno, Good Morning America and scores of
reporters.
Hollister – Hollister resident Timothy Murphy’s lawsuit claiming Barry Bonds’ historic 700th home run ball was unjustly stolen from him has thrust the local man into the media limelight, with phone calls coming in from Jay Leno, Good Morning America and scores of reporters.
A court hearing scheduled in San Francisco Wednesday was continued until Friday after Steve Williams, a Pacifica man who came up with ball after a melee in the stands of SBC Park, promised a judge he would not sell the piece of sports history until the squabble was settled. Analysts said the ball is losing value as it remains ensnared in a legal limbo – especially as Bonds approaches Ruth’s home run mark – but could be worth more than $100,000.
Meanwhile, Murphy has been dodging the press and his wife Bobbi is screening phone calls.
“We can’t make any comments right now,” she said. “I know the other guy has been talking, but we’re not doing it that way.”
When approached while watering the lawn at his Hollister home, Murphy, 40, declined comment. He referred comments to his attorney Joseph Scanlan, Jr., who didn’t return calls.
Murphy filed a lawsuit Tuesday in San Francisco Superior Court stating that he is the rightful owner of the ball and that it was stolen from him during the chaos in the left field bleachers. In the suit, Murphy said the ball struck him in the chin then dropped to the seat in from of him. He claims in the suit that he had possession of the ball after he sat on it and cradled it with his leg.
The suit claims that 50 fans and Williams wrestled for control of the ball. Murphy claims Williams grabbed his crotch and stole the ball. Although Williams was in section BL 139, No. 2, the suit contends he shouldn’t have been able to claim the ball because his ticket was for standing room only.
“We are confident that once evidence is presented in court in the form of both witnesses and videotape, it will be clear that Mr. Murphy had lawful possession of the ball and is the rightful owner,” Scanlan Jr. told the Associated Press.
Williams’ attorney, Daniel Horowitz, said the suit was “frivolous” and an attempt “to extract money even when it is not justified.”
San Francisco County Superior Court Judge Ronald Quidachay granted an injunction until Friday to give lawyers time to make their cases.
If the judge ultimately declines to block the ball from being auctioned, Williams likely would sell it immediately and the case would be over.
But before the hearing, the case took a twist, when another man, Alex Patino, said that he was the rightful owner.
His attorney, Nikita Scope, said Patino is the rightful owner because Williams snatched it from him – the same claim Murphy is making.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
