JOE PEPITONE WANTS HIS BAT BACK! FILES LAWSUIT

The old timers never really got paid the way the MLB players get paid today. And with that, many of these guys have a chip on their shoulder. They want what they want and if they need to ask for alittle extra for signings or when people send cards in the mail, they have that right. I get it. I totally do.  

I was just reading a very interesting story involving Joe Pepitone and a Mickey Mantle bat he lent to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. And, according to the lawsuit, he wants it back.

USA Today writes:

"Pepitone has filed a lawsuit against the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum seeking the return of the Louisville Slugger bat that Mickey Mantle used to hit his 500th career home run more than five decades ago.

The suit claims that Pepitone agreed to lend the bat to the Hall of Fame “with the understanding and upon the condition that it would be returned to him at any time upon his request.” Pepitone claims he's visited the Hall of Fame many times since and was always reassured by museum staff that the bat would be returned whenever he wanted it.

The Hall of Fame says the bat was donated and that it has owned it for more than 50 years.

“The Hall of Fame has preserved it and proudly put it on display for millions of fans to see," the museum said in a statement. "This bat is where it belongs — on display in Cooperstown for fans everywhere to see.”

Now here's the thing... while I understand the Hall of Fame's stance on this... if the bat is actually owned by Pepitone and there is no written contract and he wants it back, it's clearly because the guy needs a few bucks and wants to put it out there for sale. It's his... according to him. 

The Hall of Fame should do the right thing... if Joe wants the bat back... give the bat back. The Hall of Fame has thousands of artifacts on display and many times each year more come in while some are circulated out.  It's the right thing to do... give it back to Joe!

Anyway... I found this interesting and wanted to share. Happy Sunday!