Jim Rice grew up in Houston. He’s been going to baseball games for close to 50 years. He never imagined he’d be holding the ball that led to the Houston Astros second world championship title.
In the sixth inning of game 6, with the Astros trailing 1-0 to Philadelphia, Yordan Alvarez smashed a ball that landed right near where Rice was sitting.
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“I saw it come off the bat. I thought earlier in the game there’s no way balls make it up here. This thing just carried and carried and carried, and hit the ground once, hopped up once, and I smothered it like a fumble,” said Rice. “I was on the ground covering this ball up. There was no way anybody but me was going to get this ball.”
The 3-run homer traveled more than 450 feet.
“I’ve been coming to baseball games for 49 years. I’ve never caught a foul ball, a home run, or a batting practice homerun, so to catch this during the World Series, in a game like this is one of the most incredible feelings I’ve ever had.”
It was a lucky night for Rice who just 24 hours earlier didn’t have a ticket to the game. The Houston native now lives and works in Dallas.
“My boss called at 9:45 this morning and said I have an extra ticket, if you can get to Houston tonight,” said Rice. “I went home, dropped my oldest child off with my wife and said I will be back tomorrow morning. She said go have fun.”
Rice made his way to Houston and went to the game wearing just the right jersey for the occasion.
“I’m wearing my Yordan jersey tonight, so to have him be the one who actually hit it up here was pretty neat, pretty cool feeling.”
Even before the game was over and the true significance of Alvarez’s shot into the stands was, Rice said he planned to keep the ball.
“I am. I’ve already had an offer made on it and I have no intention of letting this ball go. It’s one of those things I’ve always wanted to do is catch a ball from one of these guys and you know have my Astros do it in the World Series and me to be able to be a part of it and be here to catch it is, something, I want to keep this, I want to hold onto this forever. "
Rice said while Yordan is one of his favorite Astros players, he enjoys watching the whole team.
“I’ve liked him (Yordan) since he came up and he’s a great hitter, he’s fun to watch. You know, I like watching a lot of these guys. Kyle Tucker has been great all year. You know, everybody has to like Chas McCormick right now based on that incredible catch in Game 5 in Philly, so right now they’re all my favorites.”