If you have been to Dodger Stadium over the past 10 to 15 seasons, you have undoubtedly seen him. His name is Steve Mears but he is more affectionately known as “Moneyball Steve,” and he is arguably one of the most prolific collectors of baseball memorabilia, especially of baseballs; more specifically, home run baseballs. He has been a season ticket holder out in the Left Field Pavilion for most of those 10 to 15 seasons.

Sure enough, when Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman hit his bottom-of-the-third-inning 406-foot two-run home run in Game-6 off of Mets left-hander Sean Manaea with Dodgers left fielder on Teoscar Hernández on first base to give the Dodgers an early 4-1 lead in their eventual 10-5 win over the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium to advance to the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees, it was Moneyball Steve who caught it.

Edman’s home run was his first and only round-tripper in the best-of-seven NLCS, which the Dodgers won in six games. But he had four multi-hit games and 11 RBIs in those six game. As such, it came as a surprise to no one that he was named Series MVP.

“A huge part of that is a testament to the guys on the team,” Edman said, following the series clencher. “We had really good at-bats throughout the series. Our whole lineup was [a] really good lineup. Any number of guys could have won MVP.”

So, did Mears give the ball back to Edman? To be honest, I have no idea. That said, there is zero doubt in my mind that he offered it back, because that’s just who Moneyball Steve is.

But regardless, THIS is why you always bring your glove with you to a Dodgers game.

Great catch, Steve!

Play Ball!

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