How a Diamondbacks fan’s mistake ended with 2 Giants Willy Adames home run balls

The Arizona Diamondbacks became part of one of baseball’s strangest fan stories this week after a Chase Field mix-up somehow turned into two Willy Adames home run balls for the same couple.

The sequence began May 18 in Phoenix, when Allan “AJ” Johnson and his wife, Mary Jane Johnson, arrived at Chase Field with tickets for the following night’s game. Rather than leave, they bought two new seats for that evening’s Giants vs. Diamondbacks series opener and settled into the left-field stands.

The decision changed the night almost immediately. Adames homered in the second inning, and AJ came away with the ball. The couple returned the next night with their original tickets and sat nearly in the same spot, giving the story a second chance to become even more unusual.

MLB shared the full sequence Thursday on X, formerly Twitter, as the moment gained traction again online.

“One of the wildest stories you may read today

A couple accidentally showed up to a game with tickets to the next night’s game

So they bought 2 more tickets and ended up catching Willy Adames’ home run ball

Then they came back the next night with their original tickets, sitting nearly in the exact same spot as the night before …

Then Adames hit another home run and they caught it AGAIN ”

One of the wildest stories you may read today

A couple accidentally showed up to a game with tickets to the next night's game

So they bought 2 more tickets and ended up catching Willy Adames' home run ball

Then they came back the next night with their original tickets,… pic.twitter.com/K8W5i9Er4z

— MLB (@MLB) May 28, 2026

The second catch stood out even more because Adames had already signed the first ball with help from a Giants staff member before the second game. What started as a ticket mistake turned into a rare back-to-back souvenir story, with the couple sitting in nearly the same location when the 30-year-old shortstop sent another ball their way.

The D-Backs swept the Giants over the three-game series, continuing their climb near the top of the National League West standings. For the couple, however, the series became unforgettable for an entirely different reason. What began as an accidental early arrival turned into one of the most improbable and memorable fan moments of the 2026 season.

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