Have you ever had the chance to net $250,000 and decided to just do the right thing instead and hope for some kind of reward? Nope, me neither. But a Yankees fan named Christian Lopez did do the right thing.
The New York Yankees Derek Jeter reached an unprecedented milestone of 3,000 hits in his career in a baseball game last week. And for that storied franchise he was the first Yankee to achieve that milestone. One lucky fan named Lopez caught the home run ball and had an expensive choice to make. He decided to do the honest thing and give Jeter the baseball in return for some memorabilia. Lopez could have fetched $250,000 if he chose to keep the ball and put it up for bid. He chose otherwise,saying,
"It was the right thing to do. I wouldn't change anything."
Christian Lopez reward:
4 seats in a luxury box to all the remaining Yankee home games for 2011,including the post-season (which is always a given for Yankee fans)
a signed baseball,a jersey signed by Jeter, and a 2009 Yankees World Series ring
Nice reward,huh? Until the good old IRS came calling. Lopez stood the chance of paying heavily in taxes for his being rewarded for doing the right thing. Thankfully some folks stepped in to offer help and further reward him for doing the right thing:
2 memorabilia companies gave him $25,000 each toward his $100,000 college loan debt
Miller High Life and Derek Jeter will cover all of his taxes on his rewards
Topps baseball card company is creating a baseball card of Christian Lopez and promoting kids to do the right thing
As kids growing up we are always taught through our parents and teachers to do the right thing,even if there are no rewards of value;for self-value in doing the right thing is more important.
So here's to Christian Lopez for doing the right thing! And reaping some rewards in the process.
No comments:
Post a Comment