12/22/24
January 07, 2005
It's MY ball, dammit!: Doug Mientkiewicz, he of the .215 avg as a 2 month defensive replacement, is refusing to give the Sox the ball he caught for the final out of the Series. "That's four years at Florida State for one of my kids". Selfish? Resourceful?
posted by brewdudepa to baseball at 11:40 AM - 67 comments
Gonna be kind of hard to want to generously give it to a team desperate to trade you. I love Red Sox CEO, Larry Lucchino in all of this, "We're going to make a request of him to return it to us". Going to? Nice work Larry, now it's out in the media and you risk the public relations nightmare that could ensue. Here's the original article from the Boston Globe
posted by YukonGold at 12:14 PM on January 07, 2005
it's not only selfish that he ignores the historical significance of the damn thing, but he also has to bitch about maybe not having enough money in the future to send his kids to college. jesusfuckingchrist, doesn't mlb have one of the best pension plans in pro sports? this is as bad as spreewell's" i have a family to feed". yeah, he's not making spreewell money. but, he earned more money in his first 2 seasons than my parents did in the 8 years that my brother and i were in college (going to schools that are at least twice as expensive as florida state). somehow they managed to help us out and retire comfortably.
posted by goddam at 12:14 PM on January 07, 2005
Co-worker just told me this... Apparently, Mientkiewicz was just on WEEI and said that he's a baseball junkie and wants to keep the ball in his collection. He would loan it out. Some of the stuff he said was taken out of context and said in a joking manner, and CHB misconstrued it and spun it. There's a shocker.
posted by jerseygirl at 12:27 PM on January 07, 2005
He does understand the historical significance...that is why he kept the damn thing...doesn't he say just that? He is obviously joking about the rest of that stuff...the money stuff, he is often quoted like that when he's joking because that is just how he is...at least it was when he was on the Twins. I'm not sure I would cough it up...I think he plans on hanging on to it and not putting it up on ebay tomorrow or anything...if that is what the problem is...
posted by chris2sy at 12:46 PM on January 07, 2005
The funny thing is that while there's definitely a Bonds 73rd homer ball and a McGwire 70th homer ball, there really is no single Red Sox WS win baseball. They used dozens on balls in any single game. The one Mientkiewicz has just happens to be the one that was in play when the final out was recorded. What's the difference if they just took any one of the 40 or 50 balls used in the final game and said 'this is the one that we won the series with'?
posted by crank at 01:12 PM on January 07, 2005
Return the ball to the team. They want to put it in a museum. Have they clearly stated that? If so, I'm with them. Otherwise, I'm not taking Larry Lucchino's side anymore: there's too much danger of getting a bridge burned out from under you. Can the Sox speed up the "ugly falling out with LL" thing and get it over with? The guy's going to be the Boston media's new whipping boy within a year. All that stuff that seemed cute and manly when the team was Lovable Losers is going to take on a different character now.
posted by yerfatma at 01:16 PM on January 07, 2005
crank: That'de be like asking what's the difference between the ball used to hit homerun 'x' or 'y,' without which there'de be no homerun 70 or 73.
posted by jmd82 at 01:19 PM on January 07, 2005
They'll put it right next to the bloody-sock-under-glass exhibit and the Dave Robert's fast-ass-shoes exhibit...right down the hall from Johnny Damon's toenail clippings...?
posted by chris2sy at 01:20 PM on January 07, 2005
And, if it belongs in museum won't Indiana Jones steal it back from Douggie for the public good?
posted by chris2sy at 01:24 PM on January 07, 2005
He should keep it... That is all...
posted by StarFucker at 01:26 PM on January 07, 2005
Does Mientkiewicz have the one from the ALCS too? Where the started the eight-in-a-row smoking of the Yanks and Cards in succession...?
posted by chris2sy at 01:26 PM on January 07, 2005
SHOULDNT THE BALL GO TO SOMEONE WHO DID SOMETHING TO GET THE WIN, NOT PLAY AN INNING OF CLEAN-UP DEFENSE? AGAIN, IF NO ONE WANTED IT THEN I GUESS IT DOESN'T MATTER.
posted by MARCD at 01:28 PM on January 07, 2005
Mientkiewicz and the Red Sox need to agree to send the ball to Cooperstown and let it be property of the museum.
posted by rapidroy at 01:30 PM on January 07, 2005
I WOULD PERSONALLY GIVE IT TO THE HALL, AND THEN WHEN I'M OLDER MAKE IT A FAMILY PILGRAMIGE TO COOPERSTOWN AND SHOW THE WHOLE FAMILY. THAT WOULD OUTWEIGH ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY I COULD GET FROM IT.
posted by MARCD at 01:30 PM on January 07, 2005
whoa momma, click caps lock please.
posted by jerseygirl at 01:34 PM on January 07, 2005
Where I got the implication that it was going in a museum: "We're going to make a request of him to return it to us," Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino said late last night. "We want it to be part of Red Sox archives or museums so it can be shared with the fans. We would hope he would understand the historical nature of it." And yeah, I'm also tired of LL.
posted by jerseygirl at 01:39 PM on January 07, 2005
I THINK HE SHOULD JUST KEEP IT AND THEN........ahem, I think its up to him really.
posted by StarFucker at 01:41 PM on January 07, 2005
Don't trust Lucchino...he only wants the precious-s-s-s for himself...
posted by chris2sy at 01:44 PM on January 07, 2005
everyone knows that Mientkiewicz was the tight end and ARod was the quarterback in high school in Miami right? Now that is an interesting fact. I bet they hate eachother
posted by MARCD at 01:47 PM on January 07, 2005
Some of the stuff he said was taken out of context and said in a joking manner, and CHB misconstrued it and spun it. There's a shocker. well, then i apologize for overreacting about the money bit (i really shouldn't post when at work and pissed off). i still think he should give it up to the hof. and if lucchino can't be trusted doug can deal with the hall directly.
posted by goddam at 01:54 PM on January 07, 2005
everyone knows that Mientkiewicz was the tight end and ARod was the quarterback in high school in Miami right? Now that is an interesting fact. I bet they hate eachother Is that why ARod went slapping down the first baseline? Eureka! :)
posted by jerseygirl at 01:57 PM on January 07, 2005
ARod's a loser. I live in Manhattan, and even Yankee fans don't like him here. It's great! He is the perfect example of a guy who will never win anything. He is the anti-Jeter. If the Yankees do eventually win another ring, I bet he will have contributed nothing.
posted by MARCD at 02:02 PM on January 07, 2005
Oh, they should arrest him. Charge him with Fantasy Grand Larceny. He caught the ball - he was part of the team (his role on the team is incidental, he was deemed by all alike to be the guy who should be on the field at the time). History will forget this quickly. Reminds me of the conversation that Mike Timlin and Joe Cater had on the mound at the end of '91: "I want the ball Joe." "I caught it though." "But it's my World Series clinching save!" ".... Okay." *gives ball*
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:22 PM on January 07, 2005
the last out is the important one, right? no one on the team asked for it at the time, right? its his to do with as he wishes.
posted by garfield at 02:53 PM on January 07, 2005
Shouldn’t the ball go to someone who did something to get the win, not play an inning of clean-up defense Now there's a wonderful generalization, I happen to think Mientkiewicz was an invaluable piece of that team regardless of how much he played, and regardless he's the one who ended up with it. If the last out was a fly ball to left and Manny caught it, whould it be ok for him to keep it? He was the MVP.
posted by YukonGold at 02:54 PM on January 07, 2005
JG: I think there's a museum in Fenway Park somewhere, with the Red Sox Hall of Fame. I've never seen it and wouldn't know how to get there, other than maybe on the Fenway tour. But, LL is definitely talking about that and not Cooperstown from what I understand.
posted by YukonGold at 02:57 PM on January 07, 2005
He wouldn't have been playing if it weren't for him being a gold glove quality first baseman...you need defense too...not just Ortiz dropping bombs over the fences...
posted by chris2sy at 03:01 PM on January 07, 2005
If the last out was a fly ball to left and Manny caught it It would be a miracle...he could keep it for that reason.
posted by chris2sy at 03:04 PM on January 07, 2005
red sox suck there history sucks and that doug sucks GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by kingdavid at 3:02 PM CST on January 7 I feel bad for the smart regular Yankee fans at times like this. It's like having an embarassing cousin who gets really drunk at a wedding and makes a boob-grab at the bride, huh?
posted by jerseygirl at 03:18 PM on January 07, 2005
red sox suck there Where?
posted by LionIndex at 03:26 PM on January 07, 2005
Thirty three consecutive exclamation points. SpoFi has jumped the shark.
posted by gspm at 03:30 PM on January 07, 2005
Emmitt Smith keeps the football after every touchdown he scores, selling some at his family's memorabilia shop in Pensacola and auctioning others for charity. I don't think Mientkiewicz should be asked to give up the ball. Part of the appeal of big-time sports memorabilia is the weird path an item can take from the game to a collector or museum. I would hate for items like that ball to become one more thing for franchises to "monetize."
posted by rcade at 03:37 PM on January 07, 2005
LL is definitely talking about that and not Cooperstown from what I understand. That was my assumption. LL wants it to increase team revenue. It should either go to Cooperstown, into the river with Babe's piano or stay with Doug M. The MLB already said it's his.
posted by yerfatma at 03:46 PM on January 07, 2005
I think it's perfectly fair for him to keep the ball. Note: I didn't say RIGHT, I said fair. (What's right is not always what's fair.) If the win had come from an HR, would they be harassing the fan to give it to them? Please note: I'm a Sox fan.
posted by Drood at 03:58 PM on January 07, 2005
From the Shaughnessy article "In 1999, former Reds left fielder George Foster came forward with the ball that Carlton Fisk clanged off the foul pole in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series." I guess Fisk forgot to call him up and ask for it "back"
posted by chris2sy at 04:27 PM on January 07, 2005
I would want Damon's ALCS game 7 grand slam ball. Beyond that, I am too pleased that the Sox won the WS to care about the ball ever.
posted by Joey Michaels at 04:32 PM on January 07, 2005
reminds me of the puck that clinched that 1972 Summit series and how for years nobody knew where it was and they sorta still don't know. i guess back then nobody paid too much attention to it. are all the world series clinching balls in the hands of various people rather than the clinching teams? is Carter's HR ball in the HOF or does some fan or skydome employee have it? is this latest ball extra extra extra special because of the wait since 1918 even if it was just a groundout? Mientkiewicz will always have the glove that caught that ball. maybe they should remain together as a set. but more people could enjoy it if it wasn't sitting in his closet.
posted by gspm at 04:41 PM on January 07, 2005
...speaking of missing memorabilia...bunch of savages in this world.
posted by garfield at 04:48 PM on January 07, 2005
If the Sox want it, why doesn't the team just buy it from him? Oh wait, I forgot how every baseball franchise is magically losing money.
posted by molafson at 04:50 PM on January 07, 2005
He should hold on to the ball...Reggie Jackson only got 2 of his WS home run balls...some little shit got the other one...
posted by MeatSaber at 05:00 PM on January 07, 2005
Here's some heresy: why does the ball belong in a museum anyway? Is there some kind of shrine built to the game-ending ball for any World Series? It was an earth-moving moment for all them long-sorrowing Red Sox fans, but put it in perspective: does it really deserve a pedestal and an Eternal Flame in Cooperstown? As for the notion that Mientkiewicz should give it up because he didn't do enough to earn the win: if the game had ended on a home run, the fan who caught it would get to keep it, even though he/she did nothing but fork over money and sit in a seat. So the guy who got it happened to be on the field, so what? The Red Sox (and their fans, and their press) got their win, and it was legit. Now they've got to get out of this bush-league mentality and stop sweating the small stuff.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 06:10 PM on January 07, 2005
Does he legally even have a right to the ball? It was an earth-moving moment for all them long-sorrowing Red Sox fans, but put it in perspective: does it really deserve a pedestal and an Eternal Flame in Cooperstown? Yes. The Red Sox (and their fans, and their press) got their win, and it was legit. Now they've got to get out of this bush-league mentality and stop sweating the small stuff. Coming from a yankee's fan I really hope those comments are meant to be ironic (especially the one about the fans. because really, you have to be kidding me...). Emmitt Smith keeps the football after every touchdown he scores, selling some at his family's memorabilia shop in Pensacola and auctioning others for charity. If it's the first and ten shop he use to have it was closed years ago, unless he opened a new one. And as someone who lived 10 miles from it, it's not surprising it went under (emmitt has had a strained relationship with pcola for years). Part of the appeal of big-time sports memorabilia is the weird path an item can take from the game to a collector or museum. Agreed, except when it deals with a multi millionaire being involved it kinda loses some of it's charm imho.
posted by justgary at 06:40 PM on January 07, 2005
yankee fans are not like embaressing cousins were like crazy old grandpas who enjoy watching good players play good baseball with are pants off and maybe a little drink GO YANKEES death to bosten
posted by kingdavid at 07:17 PM on January 07, 2005
The Red Sox (and their fans, and their press) got their win, and it was legit. Now they've got to get out of this bush-league mentality and stop sweating the small stuff. Coming from a yankee's fan I really hope those comments are meant to be ironic (especially the one about the fans. because really, you have to be kidding me...). No, really, I don't. I don't have any idea what happened to the ball on the final play in any of the World Serieses that the Yankees have won. I doubt anybody does, unless they ended up with said ball, or the ball got knocked over the fence. But I don't think the ultimate fate of a ball that's simply fielded for an out really looms all that large in the average fan's mind.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 07:20 PM on January 07, 2005
HAY LIL B B IF YOUR A YANKEE FAN WHY DO YOU EVEN GIVE A CRAP ABOUT BOSTENS BALLZ THINK ABOUT IT
posted by kingdavid at 07:24 PM on January 07, 2005
i dunno, cause she's a sports fan in addition to a yankees fan? and she participates in sports discussion that interest her? she has some interesting things to say and i'm glad she's not all YANKEES ROX SOX SUX!
posted by gspm at 07:28 PM on January 07, 2005
I don't have any idea what happened to the ball on the final play in any of the World Serieses that the Yankees have won. Lil brown bat, I've been a red sox fan since I can remember. Didn't choose it. Passed down. I'll bet you didn't "choose" to be a yankee fan either. You probably have your own story. I happen to follow a team with a history of failure. Winning the world series was a BIG deal. You follow a team with a history of success almost unseen in sports. I had nothing to do with the red sox history of failure, nor you yankee success. But the comparison you make completely ignores the differences between the two teams and their history. If the shoe was on the other foot, and the yankees had won their first world series since 1918, your fans might not be so nonchalant. The comparison of fans in this situation and their reaction to the 'last out ball' of a world series is simply worthless.
posted by justgary at 07:32 PM on January 07, 2005
So, you probably need like a Cubs world series win for a fair comparison...? Look at the destruction of the Bartman Ball...people get crazy over that shit.
posted by chris2sy at 07:35 PM on January 07, 2005
Hay gspm what are you her MOM!!!! i love baseball and one thing i love about baseball is i can hate who i please and right know its a tie between the bosox and you!!!! im out
posted by kingdavid at 07:48 PM on January 07, 2005
ps i thought lil brown bat was a dude
posted by kingdavid at 07:49 PM on January 07, 2005
i love about baseball is i can hate who i please I feel the same way about race.
posted by yerfatma at 08:20 PM on January 07, 2005
I'm sorry. I can't even try to continue with the topic of this thread. I'm laughing too hard. I will simply say, justgary, your point re: our respective fandom is well taken, and I really don't have any way of knowing how I'd feel in your position. Now I'm off to the locker room to giggle it up. yerfatma, yer makin' my stomach hurt.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:40 PM on January 07, 2005
Lotta good stuff on this (well, or anyhow Minky's side of the story) at Boston Dirt Dogs. Including links to a transcript of Minky's remarks on EEI. No, I cannot type Mienkieitz... crap.
posted by Bryant at 08:54 PM on January 07, 2005
let him keep the fu-----ing ball, i agree there were 40-50 balls, hey put manny's jock in the whereever the ball goes,shouldn't of taken a century,{almost to win. i want to buy thebetween the legs ball is that worth $$$.
posted by themookster at 12:09 AM on January 08, 2005
Now you r. sox fans worry about THE BALL. CURSE OVER THE BALL THE BALL DAMMITTHEBALL, BE HAPPY AND GRATEFUL THEY won in your lifetime. U think the elders that hung on now can let go are worried about the ball. gotta go important, TWISTER IS ONE!!!!!!!!!
posted by themookster at 12:38 AM on January 08, 2005
Why did I vote for your sorry ass? Somebody get the ball back--> Superman? 
posted by yerfatma at 01:37 AM on January 08, 2005
[ARod] is the anti-Jeter. Must...not...write...700 word...essay...about...subject...
posted by grum@work at 10:04 AM on January 08, 2005
This is much to do about nothing--I think its an excuse to seperate Mingy from the team and the fans--justifying a trade......... As a Twins Fan, I have watched Dougy-boy play for a few years. The Son would be stupid to trade him. With him at first base, your infield defence is vastly improved. The man prevents a lot of throwing erros. Trust me, if he plays everyday, he will contribute with the bat as well.
posted by daddisamm at 10:23 AM on January 08, 2005
Defence only first baseman are replaceable. It's that simple. I agree that Doug (not bothering to spell his last name) can make contributions with the bat, but not to a great extent in that line-up. He is not integral to their overall success.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:37 AM on January 08, 2005
Let him keep the damn ball.
posted by squealy at 10:41 AM on January 08, 2005
Bryant: speaking as a Duke fan (now living in Cambridge) I recommend First Baseman M. Not quite the ring of Coach K, but.. it'll grow on ya ;)
posted by tieguy at 12:31 PM on January 08, 2005
Here's my solution. The whole thing is rather silly in the scheme of things. Then again, the world of professional sports has given us a lot of silly stuff to post about.
posted by SportsProf at 02:50 PM on January 08, 2005
I agree that Doug (not bothering to spell his last name) can make contributions with the bat, but not to a great extent in that line-up. He is not integral to their overall success. Thats my point-given the chance, he could make a big difference,if he were allowed to play everyday. He came to the team late last year, going forward he could be a big part of the team....
posted by daddisamm at 03:42 PM on January 08, 2005
Nooooo, tieguy! I'm a UK fan, thanks to an ex-girlfriend. I'd let Special M play every day and trade Millar, myself. Theo was mentioning the other day on 'EEI that he thought the "gang of idiots" thing went a bit too far last year -- and if he's of that mind, well, trading Millar is the right thing to do. Nothing happens there till Delgado lands, though.
posted by Bryant at 11:09 PM on January 08, 2005
globe and mail reads spofi? or not. or coincidence. or obvious article to write.
posted by gspm at 10:08 AM on January 10, 2005
What a surprise.....a pro athlete that makes more money than 99% of regular working stiffs being contrite and selfish. Take the ball and stuff it whichever orafice that does you good. You're lucky to have been a part of history regardless of the size of your contribution. Be happy with that .
posted by bigwhisky at 02:09 PM on January 10, 2005
Return the ball to the team. They want to put it in a museum.