🌱 $2M Baseball + Best Pumpkin Patches + Young Humpback Whale Rescued

Good morning, Orange County! I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know that's happening today, including news about:

• Man catches $2-million baseball.
• 16 amazing pumpkin patches.
• Entangled juvenile humpback whale freed.

But first, today's weather:

Turning sunny; warm. High: 89 Low: 67.

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Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. Wow, what a catch! And it may be worth $2 million. An OC man has offered $2 million for Aaron Judge's record-breaking home-run ball. JP Cohen, the president and owner of Memory Lane Inc. in Tustin, California, a sports memorabilia auction house, "says he has offered $2 million to the fan who caught Aaron Judge's American League-record 62nd home run." Cory Youmans, who caught the home run hit Tuesday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas "has not yet replied." (Associated Press)
2. Check out 16 amazing pumpkin patches near you! Check out the best pumpkin patches in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. There's the Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch in Irvine, a working family farm that has "pumpkins, a wagon ride, barnyard and vegetable patch, and more." Or visit the sprawling Irvine Pumpkin Patch at the Irvine Regional Park. Don't forget Roger’s Gardens Halloween Boutique in Newport Beach, honoring the Pumpkin King. See all of the best pumpkin local patches here: (Los Angeles Times)
3. Way to go, SeaWorld marine rescue! They freed a humpback from heavy lines and gear it was tangled in off Southern California. The juvenile humpback whale was tangled in heavy Dungeness crab gear that left a gaping laceration around the whale's midsection, and officials said the whale had been struggling for several months after becoming tangled in the lines and fishing gear on the Oregon coast. Rescue teams at SeaWorld freed the exhausted, injured whale after several attempts, saving its life. The rescue teams "removed about 300 feet of line and five buoys and gear that came from the Dungeness crab fishery in Oregon," said Justin Viezbicke, NOAA’s California marine mammal stranding coordinator. (Orange County Register via Facebook)

Patch deal of the day:

Wine lover alert. We found this amazing deal from Splash Wines — an 18-bottle curated selection of reds and whites for fall — for just $69.99. Shipping isn't cheap at $39.95, but that still comes out to just over $6 per bottle. Splash Wines has a money-back guarantee if you don't like the wine and 4.6 out of 5 rating on TrustPilot. So: recommended.

(The Patch Deals team scours the web for deals we think our subscribers will like. We may earn a commission on products purchased. All promotions are as of publication and could change.)

Today in Orange County:

• Good Morning Anaheim-Networking Breakfast (7:30 a.m.)
• FOTCL meeting In-Person - Huntington Beach Public Library (9:30 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Happy adoption anniversary, Ranger! (formerly Danger): "Happy adoptiversarie to Ranger!!!! When we rescued this sweet boy, his name was “Danger” from his former owner whom he was confiscated from. Ranger (who is anything BUT a danger) spent the first year of his young life in the shelter. Whe..." (Orange County Pit Bull Rescue via Facebook)
• A ghoulish good tour: "👻 It’s always a ghoulishly good time at Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill Historical Park! 🧛 Join OC Parks on October 14-16 and 21-23 from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. to tour the decorated historical grounds during special park hours." (Orange County Parks via Facebook)

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Events:

• 23rd Annual El Toro Holiday Bulltique Pop Up Show (October 7)
• San Clemente Garden Club Fall Plant Sale (October 8)
• Book signing with author Marie Soleil (October 8)
• 22nd Annual Elvis Festival: "Follow that Dream" (October 9)
• Parkinson's Seminar for Newly Diagnosed (October 15)
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• "BOO" your friends and neighbors (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a contributing writer, author, and award-winning media producer. She is committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking or watching fireflies in the sultry moments before sunset. You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orange County Daily? Contact me at orangecounty@patch.com