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CNN Live Today

Bonds Away

Aired September 06, 2002 - 13:55   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The ball that Barry Bonds smacked for a famous home run has crushed a former friendship. The ex pals are in court, so is the baseball.
Manny Ramos has the story for CNN affiliate KPIX in San Francisco.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MANNY RAMOS, KPIX REPORTER: The ball that Barry Bonds hit out of PacBell Park and into baseball history because it was the 600th home run made its first appearance in court. The piece of memorabilia is now evidence in a civil suit filed against 36-year-old Jay Arseno (ph), a carpenter from Bakkenville (ph), who despite a beating in the bleachers, held onto the ball on August 9. He is being sued by three former friends. Tim Fischer (ph) took Arseno (ph) to the game, but the tickets were owned by Brett Warder (ph) and Eric Burger (ph).

The trio claims that Arseno (ph) reneged on a promise to share the wealth and glory if he got lucky. Now instead of cash and clips on "Sportscenter," they are paying attorneys to do all of the talking for them.

Arseno's (ph) attorney turned over what he swore was the ball in question.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I mean, I didn't sleep wit, but I kept it locked in my office, and then I brought it this morning. It hasn't been out of our possession. This is it.

RAMOS: The two sides agree that the ball should be in a safe place until a trial of settlement decides who owns it. How much is it worth? Experts say anywhere from $50,000 to maybe a million, frankly, whatever some collector is willing to play. The three men who claim they are being cheated think it is worth going to a trial. At least that's what they're attorneys say.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're very happy with the way the proceedings went today, and we look forward to presenting our case in trial.

RAMOS: Until a decision is made, the ball will be in a safe at the Solano County Sheriff's Department, sharing space with evidence from, believe it or not, the infamous Zodiac murders.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They will be housed with high-profile cases, such as the Zodiac homicide that we had years ago. RAMOS: So instead of Cooperstown or a rich man's mantle, Barry Bond's historic 600th home run ball is sharing spaces with clues to homicides.

In Fairfield, California, I am Manny Ramos for CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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