Zack Hample struck again Tuesday night, snagging Kyren Paris’s home run ball during the Rays-Angels game and reigniting the baseball world’s love-hate relationship with MLB’s most notorious ballhawk.
Hample, who claims to have collected over 11,000 baseballs, found himself at the center of controversy when he caught Paris’s homer. The play was reviewed for potential fan interference but ultimately ruled a legitimate home run with Hample acting within the rules.
Kyren Paris is the first Angel ever with 3 HR and 4 SB through the team’s first 10 games of a season.pic.twitter.com/LoZhfjbbNG
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) April 8, 2025
Fans didn’t hold back their frustration. “Zack Hample is the biggest douche bag and most hated man in baseball and he furthers the case more and more every single year. Ban this man from baseball @MLB,” one fan wrote on social media.
Another simply demanded: “GET ZACH HAMPLE AWAY FROM THE RAYS.”
The self-described “professional baseball nerd” has built a reputation that’s as impressive as it is divisive. His knack for being in the right place at the right time has led to some significant catches, including Alex Rodriguez’s 3,000th hit — a home run that Hample initially refused to return before negotiating terms with A-Rod.
What makes Hample such a lightning rod is his relentless pursuit of baseballs, sometimes at the expense of other fans’ experiences. He’s not just lucky; he’s strategic and unapologetic about his methods.
His reputation took a major hit in 2016 when he attended a game at Fort Bragg that was specifically reserved for military personnel and their families. That incident, along with his aggressive ball-hawking tactics, has cemented his status as one of baseball’s most polarizing figures.
This latest Paris home run saga is just another chapter in Hample’s controversial legacy. While some admire his dedication and knowledge of the game, many fans continue to view him as the embodiment of entitlement at ballparks.
The way things are going, don’t expect Hample to change his approach anytime soon — or for fans to stop talking about him.
