Judge Finds a Home for Historic Ball

After watching video footage showing a dog pile of Giant fans, a San Francisco judge Friday declared that Steve Williams -- the man who snatched the ball after Barry Bonds’ 700th home run -- had possession of the history-making souvenir and was free to sell it.

The decision by San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ronald Quidachay came after he watched a tape showing the 26-year-old Pacifica man in the middle of a melee, kneeling down and snatching a baseball that was rolling on the ground.

“Mr. Williams got the ball fair and square,” said his lawyer, Daniel Horowitz, after the hearing. “They were animals. He never pushed anybody. It’s almost like he was the gentleman of the group.”

Horowitz estimates the ball could be worth $1 million. The lawyer, who said he is representing Williams without charge, said his client intends to give a good chunk of the proceeds to charity. Last month, fellow Giant fan Timothy Murphy, 40, sued Williams, claiming Murphy had the ball under his legs but that Williams took it from him. That suit is pending.

Earlier this week, Murphy asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order barring Williams from selling the ball until the suit was settled. The judge rejected his request after watching the videotape.

“You just haven’t had sufficient evidence,” the judge said.

After the hearing, Williams said he would sell the ball as soon as possible.

“The first week when he caught the ball, we were all so excited,” said his mother, Julie Kurran. “We’re not having fun anymore. Everyone wants a chunk of the money.”

Murphy, of Hollister, said he doesn’t know what he will do next. “The decision today had nothing to do with the merits of the case,” he said in a statement provided by his wife, Bobbi. “At this time, I am looking at all my options.”

Murphy’s lawyer, David Kornbluh, said he might continue with the lawsuit and sue Williams for proceeds of the ball’s sale.

On Sept. 17, Bonds became the first player in 31 years to hit 700 homers, joining the ranks of Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron. Ruth hit 714 in his career, and Aaron 755. Bonds now has 703.

This is not the first time that fans headed to court over a Bonds home run ball. His record-setting 73rd homer of the season in 2001 sparked litigation that resulted in a judge ordering bickering fans to split the proceeds from sale of the ball, which brought $450,000 a year after the game.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.