Companies are stepping up to help and honor the fan who returned Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit ball.
If Christian Lopez, a 23-year-old cellphone salesman from Highland Mills, N.Y., has to pay taxes on the goods he received from the New York Yankees after returning the ball, companies are ready to strike out his debt.
But that's not all! Lopez will also get his own baseball card and has received a 2009 World Series ring.
Lopez scooped up the milestone baseball Saturday. Instead of trying to sell the ball, he decided to give it back to Jeter. The Yankees responded by giving him memorabilia and tickets, setting off media speculation that Lopez would have to pay taxes on his windfall.
More From ESPNNewYork.com
Derek Jeter rejuvenated Yankees fans with his 3,000th hit, as the Captain conjured a drink from the Fountain of Youth, writes Ian O'Connor. Story
Jeter finally delivered an iconic memory in the new Yankee Stadium, and this one is destined to live forever, writes Wallace Matthews. Story
The only thing better than Jeter's feat? The fact that Yankees fans were on hand to witness the magical moment at home, writes Rob Parker. Story
• Yankees blog | ESPN New York
According to accountants contacted by the New York Daily News and New York Times, that tax bill 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. That wasn't all Modell gave Lopez: Lopez will receive five percent of the entire chain's Yankees merchandise sales for one week. Both Modell and Brandon Steiner, CEO of Steiner Sports, guaranteed Lopez at least $25,000 each.
The money will help with any taxes and student loans, which Lopez says top out at $100,000 from his days at Saint Lawrence University.
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."
In addition, Topps 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.
Sapir says Topps also will have Lopez choose the image for its 2012 Derek Jeter card.
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.
If Christian Lopez, a 23-year-old cellphone salesman from Highland Mills, N.Y., has to pay taxes on the goods he received from the New York Yankees after returning the ball, companies are ready to strike out his debt.
But that's not all! Lopez will also get his own baseball card and has received a 2009 World Series ring.
Lopez scooped up the milestone baseball Saturday. Instead of trying to sell the ball, he decided to give it back to Jeter. The Yankees responded by giving him memorabilia and tickets, setting off media speculation that Lopez would have to pay taxes on his windfall.
More From ESPNNewYork.com
Derek Jeter rejuvenated Yankees fans with his 3,000th hit, as the Captain conjured a drink from the Fountain of Youth, writes Ian O'Connor. Story
Jeter finally delivered an iconic memory in the new Yankee Stadium, and this one is destined to live forever, writes Wallace Matthews. Story
The only thing better than Jeter's feat? The fact that Yankees fans were on hand to witness the magical moment at home, writes Rob Parker. Story
• Yankees blog | ESPN New York
According to accountants contacted by the New York Daily News and New York Times, that tax bill 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. That wasn't all Modell gave Lopez: Lopez will receive five percent of the entire chain's Yankees merchandise sales for one week. Both Modell and Brandon Steiner, CEO of Steiner Sports, guaranteed Lopez at least $25,000 each.
The money will help with any taxes and student loans, which Lopez says top out at $100,000 from his days at Saint Lawrence University.
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."
In addition, Topps 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.
Sapir says Topps also will have Lopez choose the image for its 2012 Derek Jeter card.
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.
