Fan Who Caught Jeter's 3,000th Hit May Owe IRS Thousands

[Spark]

Fan Who Caught Jeter's 3,000th Hit May Owe IRS | NBC New York


Fan Who Caught Jeter's 3,000th Hit May Owe IRS Thousands


The tax man may be on the hunt for the super fan who caught Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit.

Christian Lopez, 23, recovered the prized ball his father fumbled after The Captain hammered it into their section of the stands in the third inning of the Yankees' win over Tampa Bay on Saturday.

The Verizon salesman from Highland Mills, N.Y., gave the ball back to Jeter, whom he called an "icon," and the Yankees lavished a slew of prizes, including luxury box seats for every remaining home game this season and post-season and some signed memorabilia.

Now the IRS wants a piece. The prizes Lopez received are estimated to be worth more than $32,000 -- and, like game show contestants, Lopez may have to pay taxes on the gifts and prizes because the IRS considers them income.

Some estimate the IRS will put Lopez on the hook for anywhere between $5,000 and $13,000, reports the Daily News.

If it comes down to that, Lopez says he'll pay the tax man because he's not about to relinquish his seats. The young government major says his family and friends will help him out.

"The IRS has a job to do, so I'm not going to hold it against them, but it would be cool if they helped me out a little on this," Lopez told the News.

The specially marked home run ball Lopez returned to Jeter was estimated to have been worth about $250,000 to $300,000 at auction.

[buddyluv1968]

I'm not trying to be an know it all but the IRS is the collection arm of the government. I do not know an collection agency that is nice. Also the article says the IRS could charge Lopez. As far as I read the IRS has not commented on what they will do.... If that does happen I think Jeter and the Yankees plus the good Yankee fans(yeah right) will pitch in.....

[Spark]

I'm not trying to be an know it all but the IRS is the collection arm of the government. I do not know an collection agency that is nice. Also the article says the IRS could charge Lopez. As far as I read the IRS has not commented on what they will do.... If that does happen I think Jeter and the Yankees plus the good Yankee fans(yeah right) will pitch in.....

I agree buddy ... but not too sure about Jeter ... unless he really has to ...I think the yankees will though

[bryce]

Someone will help him it's good PR.

[Spark]

Someone will help him it's good PR.

But will the IRS come after him again after he takes the help

[tech fan]

The Yankee will end up giving him a vending job or something like that at the stadium.That way they can't come after him for getting.help

[bryce]

But will the IRS come after him again after he takes the help

Good point. Them assholes probably would... Amazing...

[wayne1218]

Yankees already said they will pay all taxes for him.

[flarendep1]

NY state taxes are ridiculous anyway.

Screw the IRS.

[buddyluv1968]

Someone will help him it's good PR.

Damn you are good!!!!! Some beer company has agreed to pay the taxes.....

[bryce]

Damn you are good!!!!! Some beer company has agreed to pay the taxes.....

Which one?

[ravenmaniac]

Miller

[Spark]

One good turn deserves another, and another, and another.

Christian Lopez, a 23-year-old cellphone salesman from Highland Mills, N.Y., decided to return Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit ball Saturday instead of trying to cash in. He received memorabilia and tickets from the New York Yankees but then found out he may have to pay taxes on that windfall. If he does, at least two companies said Wednesday that they are ready to strike out his debt.

But that's not all! For his generosity, Lopez will also get his own baseball card and has received a 2009 World Series ring.

According to accountants contacted by the New York Daily News and The New York Times, Lopez's tax bill on the Yankees merchandise could end up being anywhere from $5,000 to $14,000.

"Worse comes to worse, I'll have to pay the taxes," Lopez told the Daily News on Monday. "I'm not going to return the seats. I have a lot of family and friends who will help me out if need be.

"The IRS has a job to do, so I'm not going to hold it against them, but it would be cool if they helped me out a little on this."

Well, it looks as if he will get plenty of help. Miller High Life issued a statement Wednesday saying that the company would cover Lopez's tax bill.

"Miller High Life believes you should be rewarded for doing the right thing, not penalized," Miller High Life brand manager Brendan Noonan said in a statement. "We want to recognize Christian Lopez, and in turn everyone like him, for doing the common sense thing and help him continue to live the High Life."

The 2009 Yankees World Series ring came courtesy of Mitchell Modell, CEO of Modell's Sporting Goods, who got the ring because Modell's sponsors the Yankees. Both Modell and Brandon Steiner, CEO of Steiner Sports, guaranteed Lopez at least $25,000 each toward his outstanding student loans of $150,000.

Steiner said he got a call on Wednesday from his buddy Modell, and they got the ball rolling. Steiner set up an auction of memorabilia that eventually will include baseballs signed by both Lopez and Jeter and said Modell is pledging 5 percent from the sale of Yankees-related merchandise at the Modell's chain during what will be called "Christian Lopez Week."

"That itself is a totally awesome situation right now for all parties involved," Lopez said.

What impressed the sports executives -- as well as countless fans across the country -- was the way Lopez passed on the chance to sell the ball.

"Can you believe how good a mensch this kid was?" Steiner said.

Modell called Lopez "truly a true New Yorker" and "a class act." Steiner even taught Lopez how to properly sign a baseball.


Wearing a broad smile, a personalized Yankees hat, a DJ3K shirt and a new piece of jewelry, Lopez admitted at Modell's in Times Square he was "absolutely speechless right now." Lopez has been overrun with requests since Saturday.

"It's been overwhelming to be honest with you," he said. "It's been a little crazy. But I'm handling it as best I can. I'm trying to get back to everybody I can."

That includes Topps, which said it will produce a trading card featuring Lopez that will be included in sets later this year. Company vice president for sports Mark Sapir says Topps employees were impressed by Lopez's selfless act.


"Yeah, I spoke with them a couple days ago," Lopez said. "All I know, is they kind of want to make a baseball card out of me."

Sapir says Topps also will have Lopez choose the image for its 2012 Derek Jeter card.

Lopez was an avid collector as a kid. He said he has "probably a couple thousand baseball cards."

His favorite? A Yankees card, of course. It depicts Babe Ruth and one of the Yankees' owners at the time he came over from the Red Sox in 1920.

"It's a very dear card to me. I've had it for 15 years now or so," Lopez said.

According to reports, the Yankees gave Lopez luxury box tickets for the rest of the season (including postseason), signed baseballs, bats and jerseys from Jeter. He also received front-row seats to Sunday's Yankees-Rays game.

[tash]

WOW... what a joke! like the guy wants a 2009 yankees ring from stock...what a slap in the face ....Modell and Steiner sound like a couple of clowns....not surprised. They BAMBOOZLED this poor guy!

[BettorsChat]

what a crock of shit! He shouldn't have to pay taxes on those items. If anything Jeter should pay it for him. He could have kept the ball and sold it.