Game Ball

Should he give it to the Sox? I say yes.

01-07) 08:03 PST BOSTON (AP) --

Calling it "my retirement fund," Boston first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz stashed in his safe deposit box the ball used in the final out that sealed the Red Sox's first World Series championship in 86 years. Now, his boss wants it back.

"We want it to be part of Red Sox archives or museums so it can be shared with the fans," Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino told The Boston Globe on Thursday. "We would hope he would understand the historical nature of it."

Mientkiewicz, who raised the ball high in the air as Boston celebrated the victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, gave the ball to his wife, Jody, and they have stored it in a bank box.

Mientkiewicz couldn't be reached for comment. His agent, Greg Landry, did not immediately returned a message from The Associated Press on Friday. On Wednesday, Mientkiewicz left no doubt that he believes the ball belongs to him.

"I know this ball has a lot of sentimental value," Mientkiewicz said. "I hope I don't have to use it for the money. It would be cool if we have kids someday to have it stay in our family for a long time. But I can be bought. I'm thinking, there's four years at Florida State for one of my kids. At least."

Sales of historic baseballs have been lucrative. The ball Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk banged off the foul pole in the 1975 World Series sold for $113,373. The ball Barry Bonds hit for his 73rd home run went for $450,000. The most expensive baseball of all time is Mark McGwire's 70th homer, which went for $3 million.

Mientkiewicz, who batted .215 for Boston and was used primarily as a late innings defensive replacement, said he thinks the Boston's World Series ball has more value than a home run ball.

"Those are important and all, don't get me wrong, but there are always going to be more home runs," he said. "This is something that took 86 years, and 86 years is a long time."

Carmine Tiso, spokesman for Major League Baseball, told the Globe that Mientkiewicz owns the baseball, though Joe Januszewski, Red Sox director of corporate partnerships, said he thinks the team owns it.

 

Dan Shaughnessey is a fucking loser.

That is all.

 

Yeah Shaughneesy is all about controversy. Mientkiewicz said he was joking to Shank about the retirement fund and he took it out of context.

But anyway Mientkiewicz should keep the ball afterall it is his. I love the Red Sox and all but I'd atleast ask for something if I'm going to give it up to the organization. He said he was cool with loaning it away so fans can look at it or whatever.

 

How is the ball his? That like me taking a pen(or something) from work that I was usually and now called it mine. It's not my stuff, I just using it.