Friday night at loanDepot park in Miami was supposed to be just another exciting chapter in the Philadelphia Phillies’ push for the postseason. Instead, it turned into a viral lesson in sportsmanship, fandom, and the power of community after a home run ball sparked an emotional rollercoaster for one young Phillies fan celebrating his birthday.
The drama unfolded in the top of the fourth inning on September 5, 2025. Phillies center fielder Harrison Bader, who joined Philadelphia at this year’s trade deadline, stepped up to the plate and launched a towering 410-foot solo home run into the left-field stands. The blast, Bader’s 15th of the season, put the Phillies up 5-1 and set off a mad scramble in the stands as fans jockeyed for the prized souvenir.
Amid the chaos, a father managed to corral the ball and, in a heartwarming gesture, handed it to his son Lincoln, who was a few seats away. The two shared a hug, the kind of moment every baseball-loving family dreams about, especially on a birthday. But the joy was short-lived. Within seconds, a woman in Phillies apparel charged over, grabbing the father’s shoulders and demanding the ball back. "That was mine. You took it from me," she yelled, claiming the ball was closer to her seat and insisting, "It was in my hands." Video footage, however, doesn’t clearly show the ball ever being in her possession, and multiple fans had scrambled for it.
Faced with the woman’s persistence and not wanting to escalate the situation further, the father eventually pulled the ball from Lincoln’s glove and handed it to her. The woman returned to her seat, but the damage was done—Lincoln was left upset, his birthday moment soured in front of a stunned crowd and, soon enough, a global online audience. The incident was caught on video and quickly went viral, sparking outrage and debate across social media platforms about etiquette, entitlement, and the spirit of the game.
But the story didn’t end there. In a move that restored faith in the baseball community, both the Marlins and Phillies organizations stepped up to make things right. Not long after the confrontation, a Marlins staffer arrived in the section, apologized directly to Lincoln, and presented him with a goodie bag filled with team gifts. The gesture drew a roar of approval from the surrounding fans. According to a Marlins representative, "That was not OK, so we brought you a cool little goodie bag. …I’m so sorry."
As the game went on—eventually ending in a 9-3 Phillies victory thanks to additional homers from Max Kepler, Brandon Marsh, and a three-run shot by Bryson Stott—the story of Lincoln’s lost ball was already making the rounds online. The Phillies, leading the NL East with an 82-59 record and firmly in playoff contention, weren’t about to let the incident go unaddressed. After the final out, Lincoln and his family were invited down to the Phillies’ clubhouse. There, Harrison Bader himself met the young fan, gifting him a signed bat and spending a few moments chatting with him. The smile on Lincoln’s face said it all—the night had been saved, and perhaps even improved, by the kindness of the teams and their star outfielder.
Bader, who has quickly become a fan favorite in Philadelphia since his trade from the Minnesota Twins, has been known for his defensive prowess throughout his career, with stints for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, New York Mets, and of course, the Twins. But this season, he’s added a potent bat to the Phillies’ lineup, hitting over .300 in his first 29 games with the club, notching three home runs and ten RBIs since arriving. His reputation as a class act off the field was only bolstered by his gesture to Lincoln.
In a press release and across social media, the Phillies highlighted the moment: "Going home with a signed bat from Bader," the team posted, sharing a photo of Lincoln beaming with his new treasure. The Marlins, too, received widespread praise for their quick response and for ensuring that Lincoln didn’t leave the ballpark empty-handed—or empty-hearted.
The story took one more remarkable turn when Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World and star of CNBC’s The Profit, caught wind of the incident. On September 6, Lemonis posted on X (formerly Twitter), promising to cover the cost for Lincoln and his family to attend the World Series, should the Phillies make it, and even threw in an RV for good measure. Talk about birthday presents!
Meanwhile, speculation swirled online about the identity of the woman who demanded the ball. The name Cheryl Richardson-Wagner was linked to the video, but there’s no confirmation she was the fan in question. In fact, Richardson-Wagner herself took to Facebook to clarify, "I’m NOT the crazy Philly Mom (but I sure would love to be as thin as she is and move as fast)… and I’m a Red Sox fan." The true identity of the woman remains unconfirmed, and the focus has shifted back to the positive aftermath rather than the initial controversy.
This isn’t the first time a scramble for a souvenir has gone viral at a sporting event. Just last week at the U.S. Open, a Polish millionaire grabbed an autographed hat intended for a young boy, only for the tennis star Kamil Majchrzak to later make it right with a personal gift. And earlier this season, a Mets fan was criticized for snatching a ball from an elderly supporter at Citi Field. These incidents seem to be popping up more often, perhaps a reflection of the social media age’s appetite for viral drama—but also a reminder of the good that can follow.
For Lincoln, what started as a crushing disappointment ended up being a birthday for the ages. Not only did he get to meet one of his heroes and walk away with a signed bat, but he also saw firsthand that even in the heat of competition and the frenzy of the crowd, empathy and generosity can win the day. With the Phillies gearing up for a playoff run and Lincoln’s story inspiring fans far beyond Miami, it’s safe to say that this was one home run that truly brought the baseball community together.
As the Phillies continue their series against the Marlins before heading home to face the New York Mets, the team—and its fans—can look back on a night that was about much more than the final score. Sometimes, the greatest victories come off the field.
