Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Thanks to Bonds, Boomer Has Baseball's Best Ball
()
David Wells, the overweight, hard drinking, everyman pitcher from Torrance (who has journeyed around the big leagues from Toronto to New York, and now, to San Diego) has always been a big fan of Babe Ruth. So it's no surprise to learn that Wells had purchased a baseball for $7,000 with the Bambino's signature on it.
But who would have thought that the big lug would have the smarts to get Hank Aaron to sign it a few weeks ago when the Hammer was in the Diego... and who would have thought that Barry Balco would have accepted Wells' request to be the third autograph on a ball that now is probably the only baseball signed by the three home run champs?
"Barry was very nice about it," Wells said after the game, showing three reporters the ball sealed in a soft plastic case at his PETCO Park locker after his Padres defeated the Giants, 5-4, to cap a three-game weekend sweep. "We had a long conversation." Bonds, who hit his 755th homer Saturday night to tie Aaron and didn't play Sunday, confirmed that he had given Wells his signature on the ball.
"Yes, I signed it," Bonds said. - MLB.com
Support for LAist comes from
AP photo by Kevork Djansezian
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
Best of LAist