It’s Mine and You Can’t Have It!
October 27th, 2004 brought us an historic event in American sports. Against all odds, the Boston Red Sox “reversed the curse” and won MLB‘s World Series for the first time since 1918. That postseason gave everyone much to talk about, from the wildcard teams’ successes in the past to Johnny “Caveman” Damon’s hair (who’s my homeboy, by the way). And we all remember the outstanding American League Championship Series win the Sox pulled off, beating the New York Yankees in seven games after trailing three games to none!
People are still talking about that 2004 World Series. During the 2005 postseason, many wondered if Boston could defend their crown. The Chicago White Sox had the best record in the majors all season, were a favorite to win the crown this time around. The Cleveland Indians almost spoiled it for the then-slumping White Sox with a strong charge at the end of the season. Of course most were wondering whether the White Sox could mimic their red counterparts and win the fall classic, which would be their first since 1917.
Most of the talk has died down by now, everyone focusing on the upcoming 2006 season. But there’s still one issue irking the Red Sox regarding that 2004 season: the last out ball. First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz caught the last out of the World Series and kept the ball, not letting go of it until he got home. Ever since, the ball club has been trying to get the ball back from Mientkiewicz, claiming they own it. Understandably, he thinks he owns the ball. Many times the Red Sox organization has approached Mientkiewicz to settle the ball issue. Most recently, they filed a lawsuit, asking a judge to rule over the legal ownership of the ball.
I understand the importance of this ball to the organization and the team’s fans, it is pretty historic. I can also see how Doug doesn’t want to part with it. In a sport where autographed balls, bats and game-used bases sell at auctions for incredible sums of money, the 2004 World Series final out ball is the holy grail. It’s pretty amazing in a way, that one ball could garner so much attention; no other ball will do.
I wonder if this happens in other sports? Is the ball kicked in for the goal which allowed Brazil to keep the Jules Rimet trophy on display somewhere, or did it just get thrown into another match? What about cricket, another sport widely followed by much of the world, do the fans have any special attachments to the balls, bats or wickets?
At any rate, Americans are crazy over their baseball memorabilia. Though I have to admit, if I was in Doug’s place, I’d want to keep that ball too 
