<span><h1 id="article-title">Matt Carson Can't Retrieve First Big League Homer Ball, Not Sure Why</h1> by Colin Flosi
[size="1"]Contributor[/size]

<span>(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)</span>

Oakland Athletics rookie Matt Carson hit his first career home run Monday, Sept. 21 against the Texas Rangers. It should have been a joyous occasion, right?

If only it were that simple.

The fan who caught the ball didn't return it to the 28-year-old right fielder, opting instead to ask for $10,000 in return for the ball. Upon hearing the news, Carson was surprised and, for the most part, confused.

"Does he know who I am? Exactly—he shouldn't!" he exclaimed at a press conference following the game. "My mom doesn't even know I'm in the major leagues, and my dad still confuses me with my older brother at Thanksgiving dinner."

The "fan" who caught it was quoted as saying, "I only want money," which begs the question...does he think Johnny Carson hit the home run?

Carson continued to harp on the ball, saying, "To tell the truth, I'm pretty sure the ball was worth more before I hit it. I'm Matt Carson, for God's sake!"

After the game, it was said that Carson tried his best to contact the fan to work out a deal, even offering to trade a pudding cup and a 1993 Preston Wilson rookie card for the ball, but no such luck.

Still depressed over the incident, Carson had just one thing to say to the fan with his first career home run ball.

"Can you at least show it to my friends so they'll believe I'm actually in the major leagues?"

</span>