By Jose M. Romero / @RomeroJoseM

For FOX Deportes

Elian Herrera had a lot to smile about when I approached him after his Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1 on July 5.

The Dominican Republic native hit his first major-league home run, and was so excited he practically sprinted around the bases at Phoenix’s Chase Field. When the game was over, Herrera stood by his locker in the visiting clubhouse, beaming.

I’d spoken with Herrera before the game. I asked him where the ball from the home run was. He showed it to me. I asked him how he was able to get it from the fan in the first row of left-field seats who came up with the ball after it flew out of the reach of Diamondbacks left fielder Jason Kubel’s glove. He told me he’d traded a signed bat for the ball.

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