Praise has been coming from far and wide for Christian Lopez, the fan who caught Derek Jeter’s 3000th hit baseball on Saturday, then selflessly returned it to the New York Yankees star. The Yankees stepped up with some gifts for Lopez, including Yankee Stadium tickets for the rest of the season and some Jeter collectibles.
Today Steiner Sports and Modell’s, two longtime Yankees partners, are showing their appreciation for Lopez’s kind act. Brandon Steiner, CEO of Steiner Sports will provide a portion of the proceeds to Lopez, with a minimum of $25,000, from a special Internet auction of Jeter-themed collectibles. A limited number of baseballs signed by both Jeter and Lopez will be available as part of the auction.
Mitchell Modell of Modell’s has also pledged $25,000 to Lopez, representing 5% of the sale of all Yankees merchandise at all Modell’s stores. Modell also gave Lopez his 2009 World Series Championship ring.