Hunter Walker

I got a Babe Ruth bat fragment. I also got a signed HOF plaque card for Dimaggio. I got those watching auctions. Scored both for $150 each, which really felt like a steal. The Ruth bat came from his estate and is mounted for framing. It's crazy since much smaller pieces in cards go for $$$$$$

I mean it's literally priceless.

I also got selfies with Patrick Ewing and Mike Tyson at events I covered. They are my other favorite childhood athletes and are included in the exemption. Mike is from Brooklyn and I boxed in high school.

I am very professional about my journalistic run ins. However, I have informed all bosses that the 90s Yankees are exempt from my ethics rules. I also took a picture with Joe Torre at the congressional ball game.

I bumped into him at the White House 😬 and he was very sweet about saying hi to my mom.

I have this goal to have a ball from my top Yankee of every time period. For some of them, I have relaxed the rules a bit since, like, there's very little chance I will ever be able to afford a Babe Ruth ball.

Wow! I don't have a single personal inscription! I did get Mariano to film a video for my mom though. He is her favorite.

The Yankees are a big deal in our family and she got me to some incredible games over the years

The first part of the statement is inarguable. The single season homer record justifies the second.

Oy. I have a very small fragment of a Ruth bat. I am pretty sure it has part of a notch from one of his homers.

Another dream of mine is to one day help Aaron Judge write his autobiography.

There is an incredible story there.

I manifest this regularly.

I guess this is a no-Judge-judgment zone

As much as it would be a prized possession, it's real hard to justify spending $700 on that.

I love to get these in person even though it's worth way less. It's about the fun of the game for me. At this point though, I am starting to doubt I'll pull this off. He doesn't sign a lot. Also, simce my wife's intention was to just get it for me I would be into it.

I was smart enough to get my mom a signed Judge rookie card for Chanukah that year. At least that is in the family. I paid a very reasonable amount for it and it is now like absurdly valuable. It is probably the best present I ever got anyone.

Yes. If any of you know Aaron Judge and hear my plea, please help me right this historic wrong.

I tried to get a ball to Aaron Judge the week before last. I was very close. I got Torre and Boone. I actually had a note for Judge but Boone wouldn't give it to him. I am sure he thought I was psycho. Perhaps I am.

Meanwhile, today, Gary Sanchez plays for the Brewers.

You can get a ball signed by him for $39.99.

I have a prized collection of signed balls.

My favorite player is not part of my collection.

I have met Aaron Judge. I have gone to spring training to see him. I haven't been able to secure a signed Judge ball.

That ball was $250. Today, Aaron Judge balls go for like $700. The derby one is worth even more.

I can't do all that.

I blew it.

It is a funny story I guess? Also, regardless of how it ended up, it was such a nice sweet gift from my wife.

I chose the Gary Sanchez ball. Today, instead of an incredible relic from Aaron Judge's rookie year, I own a signed Gary Sanchez 2017 homer run derby ball.

God this is painful to type.

At one game after our wedding, my wife surprised me and wanted to get me an awesome present. They had 2017 Home Run Derby balls signed by Gary and Judge. She told me
to pick one.

Friends, can you see where this is going?

I was a huge fan of them both but I was a bit of a Gary Guy. I liked his swag. Also, everyone had Judge as their number one. It kind of reminded me of Bernie and Jeter where I had felt Bernie was underappreciated.

At the time, Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez were the two amazing rookies. They were so good.

That fall was also when I got married. My wife and I went to a bunch of playoff games. We drove from DC. We called it our "honeymoon in The Bronx." It was so awesome up until the cheating.

Back in 2017 the Yankees were on the magical run that was destroyed by the Astros' cheating. The absolute worst. Unforgivable.

He is bigger than baseball for me.

Now, here's where I screwed up ...