Major League Baseball

Meet the Yankees security guard in charge of getting home run balls

Published Jun. 17, 2015 12:13 a.m. ET

foxsports

Every once in a while you hear about fans who catch milestone home runs and demand memorabilia, tickets, money, etc.

But you never hear about the guy that negotiates the deal.

For the New York Yankees, Eddie Fastook is that guy. Fastook is the head of security for the Yankees and currently, his priority is running down Alex Rodriguez' home run balls.

Fastook told the New York Times how it usually goes:

“I introduce myself and always tell them they don’t have to give the ball back,” said Fastook, who typically offers signed baseballs, a tour of the clubhouse and — if the player is willing — a chance to meet the player. “Some people are as nice as can be. Once in a while, you get somebody trying to extort you.”

The people who 'extort' are the ones that make the news. Most recently, it was Mike Shuster who has still not given up A-Rod's 660th home run ball.

There are only three home run balls that Fastook has failed to retrieve, including the 660th A-Rod homer.

You can read the full article here.

(h/t New York Times)

Image credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports