Ben Affleck Handed Baseball He Almost Caught for His Birthday  8/17/06

Movie star Ben Affleck celebrated his 34th birthday in style yesterday (15AUG06) with the baseball he almost claimed as his own at a recent Boston Red Sox/Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim game.

The Armageddon star reached for the foul game ball as it headed straight for him at the Fenway Park, Boston clash but Angels star Howie Kendrick claimed the 'out' by stealing it from Affleck's grasp.

But fun-loving Kendrick wasn't bitter about tussling with the famous Red Sox devotee on the sidelines and sent Affleck the signed ball as a birthday gift.

The ball in question was handed to the actor during a taped interview on news show Access Hollywood.

In a taped video message, Kendrick said, "Sorry I didn't let you have that foul ball but I have a job to do, y'know. Nice try, though, even for a Red Sox fan. So here ya go."

A stunned Affleck recalled the moment he almost caught his first fly ball at a baseball game as the sporting highlight was played back to him on a monitor.

He told Access Hollywood host Billy Bush, "I literally was like, 'Why isn't it in my hand?' It's the closest I've ever come to playing major league baseball."