Give it up, Doug

Way to go, Dougie. One of my favorite Twins players in recent memory, Doug Mientkiewicz, definitely isn't loved in Boston. "Dougie Baseball" is currently a New York Met, but he spent the better part of his career with the Twins at first base before being traded to the Red Sox in the summer of 2004. At the time, the Sox were in dire need of defensive help, and Mientkiewicz brought his gold glove to Beantown and definitely aided the team. In Game 4 of the World Series, Doug found himself at first base as the final play was flipped to him. He made the out, and the Red Sox had their first World Series in 86 years. Turns out he kept the baseball in his glove as team celebrated. A few weeks or months later, I don't remember which, it was reported Mientkiewicz still had the ball in his possession and Bostonians began calling for its return. Doug did not stay with the team, kept the ball, and agreed to let the team display it for the most rabid-baseball fans in the country for one year. Well, the year is up.

Now the Red Sox have sued Dougie to keep the ball in Massachusetts. They're arguing since he was a Red Sox employee during the time he caught the ball, they are entitled to any property in his possession while he was on the job.

If I was Doug, I'd probably want to keep it. Not every MLB player catches the final out to win a World Series, after all. That's one hell of a memento besides the World Series ring, and the occasion chance to see the trophy. It's a great thing to think about passing along to the kids, too.

In the shoes of a Sox fan, which I admit I am (though not as strong as a Twins guy), I can't imagine not being able to walk into the Red Sox museum and see the ball that ended "the Curse." Especially considering the significance that the team hadn't won a Series in 86 years, I'd feel like a piece of history had been stolen from city lore.

That said -- Dougie, give the ball up. You spent less than 4 months in Boston. You were lucky to end up with a World Series ring. You cannot fully understand how significant that Series win was to that city after years of an "oh, so close..." seasons. Perhaps once the Vikings collect their first Super Bowl trophy, people around here will understand. Boston has had its share of major league success, i.e. the Patriots' Super Bowl wins and the Celtics' several championships, but it is a baseball town to the heart. They've earned the right to keep that ball.

Doug isn't the type of guy who should be disdained in Boston forever. He shouldn't let his name be dragged through the mud. It's definitely not worth the ball collecting dust on a mantle above his fireplace.