Heliot Ramos, the outfielder from the San Francisco Giants, made a splash, literally! On Sunday, he launched a solo home run into the McCovey Cove during their game against the Padres. But this was no ordinary home run because Ramos did something no one ever did; he became the first right-handed batter ever to send the ball to the Cove from Oracle Park. And well, his happiness reflected on his face as he celebrated on the diamond.

Before Heliot, only lefties like Barry Bonds and Pablo Sandoval had managed to send the ball flying to the waters. But Heliot Ramos broke that mound and earned his place in history. And that ball is special, right; so, it’s understandable he would want it back. However, he or his team might never get it back! Turns out a Giants fan called Dave Edlund, who ended up fetching the ball from the Cove, might not hand it to the team. Moreover, this isn’t the first time a fan has pulled off a stint like this!

McCovey Cove Dave’s lucky catch brings bad news for Heliot Ramos

Dave Edlund, better known as McCovey Cove Dave has spent two decades in his kayak, finding such stellar finds when thrown. This time, given it was one of a kind, it was a special thing for him. What’s crazy is that he wasn’t even supposed to be at the game that day. He only went because he had auctioned off a kayak trip to the local school, and the winner there chose the game. Talk about luck by chance! But despite the good fortune, he doesn’t want to return the ball. According to Edlund, Heliot Ramos needs to earn back the ball, but how does he think the Giants player will be able to do that?

McCovey told SFGATE, “Heliot, this is his beginning season, and I hope he has a fantastic career. He could get this ball, but he has to earn it. He has to play 10 years for the Giants and become deeply loved, and when I pass away, then yeah.” But there may be more to the story than just the love of the ball for him. Edlund also mentioned that if it was the ball of the San Francisco Giants, top prospect, Bryce Eldridge, he would probably return it. The reason—he has a friendship with Bryce, and in Cove Dave’s own words, “Bryce follows me. Does Heliot even know I exist?” He said he would rather keep the ball, opt for loaning it to the Giants, or maybe give it to the Hall of Fame.

Moreover, McCovey Cove Dave noted, “I spent 20 years, and this is one of the balls I’ve been trying to get for 20 years and to immediately think that I have to hand it over to the player, I don’t agree with that tradition.” And this reluctance highlights that maybe MLB teams don’t pay well for these historic items. Moreover, did you know this isn’t the first time he has caused trouble in returning the items he caught?

McCovey Cove Dave is holding onto another historic ball

The stint with Heliot Ramos’s historic memento isn’t the first time that has brought Dave Edlund under the spotlight. He made headlines after clenching a grand slam ball hit by Atlanta Braves Michael Harris II. It was August 14, and the splash hit was a historic moment at the Oracle Park because it marked the fourth-only grand slam in the stadium’s history and Harris, first-ever grand slam. Granted, the Braves wanted the ball back for Harris, but Dave Edlund refused to give it back. Instead, he demanded discounted parking at the Pier, and then, the team seized talking with him.

Last time, the fans were in support of the crazy fan who ventures so long and so patiently for the splash hits. But this time, the reactions have moved a little towards a subtle bash. Giants beat writer Andrew Baggerly openly called out Edlund as “a grifter and an attention seeker.” As for Edlund, he has no problem being in the spotlight; he instead enjoys it. Edlund told SFGATE, “I do enjoy it, but I’ve kind of earned it. How many times do those writers respond to every Giant’s comment, like I do? The reason why I’m so loved is because I’m very accessible. The fans know me personally. I’ve invested in them. I know them on a first-name basis.”

Undoubtedly, his passion for baseball and collecting these momentous items is high. Intending to attend 1,000 games in the Kayak, he shows up every time, so he might have earned the ball for sure. Now, guess the Giants have to acknowledge him, or maybe since he mentioned not getting the best value, be ready to shell some serious coin. What do you think will happen? Let us know your thoughts on this entire scenario.