Phillies home run ball controversy: Harrison Bader, Marlins reward young fan after dispute

Jake Mozarsky

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Phillies home run ball controversy: Harrison Bader, Marlins reward young fan after dispute image

In a viral moment that has sparked widespread outrage, a Philadelphia Phillies fan in Miami was captured on video demanding a home run ball from a father and young boy. The incident occurred during the Phillies' game on Friday against the Marlins after outfielder Harrison Bader hit a solo shot. A father, who had secured the ball for his son, was pressured by a woman who claimed the dad took it from her, leaving his son Lincoln visibly upset.

However, the story had a heartwarming twist: both the Marlins and the Phillies stepped in to make things right, with Bader himself gifting the young fan a signed bat after the game.

Though the boy might have missed out on the home run ball, he received a better gift and an experience he won't forget.

What happened with Harrison Bader's home run ball?

When Bader hit a 410 foot moonshot to left field, there was a scramble in center field to retrieve the ball. A father emerged with it and brought it to his son, but a woman who was right next to it was furious she did not get the ball, and decided to confront the two.

The father and son were forced to give the ball back to the fan, who was also in the area where it landed. The woman can be heard saying in the video, "No, you took it from me!"

What did Lincoln get from the Marlins and Phillies?

First, a team representative from the Marlins came into the stands during the game, giving the fan a bag of gifts from the team. It was received by a roar from the section.

After the game ended, Philadelphia went one step further, bringing Lincoln down to the Phillies' locker room and letting him meet Bader himself.  Not only did he get to meet the Phillies' center fielder, but he also was given a signed bat.

Harrison Bader stats

Bader was traded to Philadelphia at the 2025 MLB trade deadline from the Minnesota Twins. In 29 games withe Phillies, the center fielder has three home runs and 10 RBIs. Since arriving in Philadelphia, the 31-year-old is batting over .300/

On the season, he has 15 home runs and 48 RBIs, and is now part of a Phillies team that is first in the NL East with an 82-59 record.

Over his MLB career, the Bronx, NY native has been known primarily for his fielding. Bader has played for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies, and has shown flashes of defensive prowess with all of them.

 As Philadelphia is vying for playoff seeding and looking to win the NL East, Bader has already made one fan's year.

Is Cheryl Richardson-Wagner involved in the video?

While the name Cheryl Richardson-Wagner has been linked to the video from the game, there is no evidence confirming that it is the identity of the female Phillies fan who takes the ball away.

A woman with the name took to Facebook to share a status update that "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 link was first made due to a similarity in appearance. While the likelihood of there being another Cheryl Richardson-Wagner is low, there is a chance that the Phillies fan does have that name.

There has been no confirmation of the identity of the woman who took the ball away.

Jake Mozarsky

Jake Mozarsky joined The Sporting News as an Editorial Intern in August 2025 after earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University. He has previously written for Marquee Sports Network, Chicago This Week, Inside NU and The Daily Northwestern.