DENVER-
A radio morning program host claims he was behind the Colorado Rockies’ dugout and has the ball that was in play when Troy Tulowitzki recorded Major League Baseball’s 13th unassisted triple play.
The fate of the ball remained a mystery Tuesday after first baseman Todd Helton threw the ball into the stands moments after the play Sunday. Kelly Johnson and Edgar Renteria reached on singles and were running on a 3-2 pitch when Tulowitzki caught Chipper Jones’ line drive behind second base. The rookie stepped on the bag to double up Johnson, then tagged Renteria for the third out.
Afterward, the oft-replayed video of the historic play shows Tulowitzki throwing the ball to Helton who caught it and is seen running off the field. It doesn’t show Helton throwing the ball into the stands behind the Rockies’ dugout or who caught it.
Steffan Tubbs, co-host of KOA-AM’s morning show said he was shocked when Helton tossed the ball his way. He announced he had the ball during his show Monday and the station issued a statement on his behalf Tuesday night.
“I was thrilled to have the ball, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized this was a piece of Rockies’ history,” Tubbs said in the statement. “Considering how rare a ball it is, it definitely belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame.”
Radio station officials did not immediately return a message left by The Associated Press after business hours Tuesday.
During an interview on KUSA-TV, Tubbs acknowledged there was no way he could prove he had THE ball.
“The intentions are absolutely not to hold the ball hostage, I will absolutely give it to Troy Tulowitzki or the Rockies or the Hall of Fame,” he told the station. “There is absolutely no way I can prove that that ball right there is the ball. But it is the ball. I’d swear on the Bible, I’d do basically anything, but I can’t prove it.”
The jersey and hat that Tulowitzki was wearing that afternoon have already been sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Tulowitzki’s play was the first since shortstop Rafael Furcal did it for Atlanta on Sept. 10, 2003, against St. Louis.
