A famous quote says, ‘to err is human’. But some mistakes make a person regret them forever for making them. One such mistake was made by one of the most prolific home-run hitters, Mark McGwire, in the history of Major League Baseball, which he might have regretted.

When players hit a home run and make a record of it, it becomes important for them to have that ball. Therefore, when McGwire hit the 70th home run of his career in 1998, he wanted that ball as well. But a grave mistake of his made a man earn millions.

Mark McGwire should not have said “no” to that!!

September 27, 1998, marked the day Big Mark broke the iconic Roger Maris’ record of most home runs in a season by hitting nine more than him. The fan, Phil Ozersky, who used to make $30k in a year, caught McGwire’s 70th home run ball.

The athlete’s team went to Ozersky to get the ball back in exchange for a signed bat, ball, and jersey. Here Phil did his own negotiation and agreed to give the ball back if he would get to meet the prolific hitter, too. But, herein, McGwire made the mistake of saying no.

Which later caused Ozersky to back out from the deal. Hence, Mark never got the historic home run ball back. Then, three months later, Phil decided to put the historic home run ball on sale. Then, as fate would have it, the man who used to make $30k a year became the owner of $3 million by selling a baseball.

Also, McGwire not meeting Phil, turned out to be good for him, as he literally made three million dollars.

How did the fans react to Mark’s mistake?

But did he? Here are some fan reactions:

While many feel what happened was good for Ozersky! Cheers “to Ozersky!” said a fan. While the other said, “Good for him”

Hence, one shouldn’t forget, a single refusal can have significant consequences.

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