Giants Fan Refuses to Return Braves' Home Run Ball

In a recent game between the San Francisco Giants and the Atlanta Braves, a fan known as “McCovey Cove Dave,” or Dave Edlund, has sparked controversy by refusing to return a significant home run ball to Braves player Michael Harris II. The ball, which marked Harris's first career grand slam and only the fourth splash hit grand slam in Oracle Park's history, was retrieved by Edlund during the game. The Braves initially attempted to negotiate the ball's return with a signed baseball and bat, but Edlund expressed disinterest in such memorabilia. Reports indicate that Edlund's demands included a request for parking privileges at a reduced rate at Pier 30/32, a lot typically reserved for Giants employees. He described this request as “reasonable,” especially compared to the public parking fee of $60. However, the Braves did not agree to his terms, leaving Edlund feeling “kind of bitter” about the situation. He has attended around 50 games annually and has previously collected numerous splash hits and baseballs from the cove. The situation escalated when Edlund shared a selfie with the ball on social media, leading to speculation about his intentions. While some fans, particularly Braves supporters, expressed frustration over Edlund's decision to keep the ball, Harris humorously remarked that he would simply have to hit another grand slam. The ball holds historical significance, as Harris is the only visiting player to achieve a splash grand slam at Oracle Park, joining Giants legends Barry Bonds, Michael Tucker, and Mike Yastrzemski.