Matt Murphy Has Reached a Decision on Bonds' Home Run Ball

Earlier today, Matt Watson alerted you to the fact that Matt Murphy, he of No. 756 home run ball fame, was hawking his Jose Reyes jersey he wore that historic night on eBay. (Get your bids in now, kids!) MW also let you know Murphy wasn't quite sure what he was going to do with the ball just yet -- he wasn't supposed to announce his decision to 5 p.m. EST today.

In a not-so-shocking revelation, he has decided to sell the ball.

The 21-year-old New York man said Tuesday he had no choice but to sell the ball -- several people told him he would be taxed on the souvenir just for holding on to it.

"It wasn't hard," Murphy said. "It was simple math. I'm upset by the decision I had to make. ... I wanted to keep it. I'm young. I don't have the bank account."

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Sotheby's/SCP Auctions will handle the sale at www.scpauctions.com beginning Aug. 28 and going through Sept. 15. The starting bid has not been determined, and auction officials estimated the ball would bring at least $500,000.

Can't blame Murphy at all. There's certainly no reason to sit on the ball and get taxed for it. Make bills, son. I'm no memorabilia connoisseur, but $500,000 seems a bit steep. We'll see what it really garners soon enough here.