Infamous MLB ballhawk Zack Hample was this close to catching George Lombards first Yankees home run

George Lombard’s storybook moment avoided a polarizing overcast.Infamous MLB ballhawk Zack Hample — whose home run-catching antics draw great scorn in some corners — came within inches of catching the Yankees’ top prospect first career home run Tuesday night in The Bronx.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.

Hample, standing in the aisle in the left-field seats at Yankee Stadium, reached to his right with his glove in an attempt to somehow corral the ball amid a sizable group of fellow ball-seekers during the Yankees’ 2-0 win over the Cardinals.Lombard’s solo blast appeared to hit at least one fan’s hand inches away from Hample and instead landed in the glove of Bruce Roberts.Roberts, a Utah resident, reportedly attended the game with his family to celebrate his 12-year-old son Cash’s birthday, according to The Athletic.He ultimately traded the ball for signed balls and a meet-and-greet with Lombard.“No-brainer,” Roberts told The Athletic.“They were really generous about it.”That Hample did not land the prized souvenir elicited celebration in some corners of social media due to his polarizing personality.Some do not approve of his actions, although even the biggest of haters would point out that he has a knack for somehow always being in the right spot.There’s a skill in being able to somehow be in the right spot for a home run ball from a rookie who did not have a major-league hit to his name yet.But there are allegations from some against Hample about how he maneuvers his way into spots where he can land the ball, including whether it’s fair game to move in front of children.Had Hample caught the ball, he may have had another awkward showdown with the Yankees.Hample caught Alex Rodriguez’s 3000th hit in 2015 — a home run — and initially would not return it to the ex-Yankees slugger despite attempts to broker a deal.He finally ...