Wednesday, February 14, 2007
You Be The Judge. Who Does The Ball Belong To?
I swear I am having deja vu. This happened a couple of seasons ago, didn't it? Remember the long dispute between the Boston Red Sox franchise and ex-Red Sox first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz? Well eventually that ordeal ended with the defensive specialist "reaching an agreement" with the Red Sox, which resulted in the ball finding a new home in Cooperstown.
Well this situation is a tad different. This situation of course refers to the St. Louis Cardinals World Series ball. And this situation differs from the Red Sox dilemma, as this one involves two players rather than a player and a franchise. Those two players are closer Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina.
The final out of the World Series occurred when Wainwright struck out Detroit Tigers' Brandon Inge. The ball landed in Molina's glove and has remained in his possession, specifically his home office in Puerto Rico, since then. The controversy surrounding this story only exists because Molina agreed to give the ball to Wainwright.
This offseason, Wainwright confirmed the ball's location when he recalled the conversation he had with Molina during the celebration. He said he approached Molina, who led all players with 19 hits in the playoffs, and the catcher said he would give Wainwright the ball when the team got its championship rings.
"He told me, 'You deserve it, you deserve it,'" Wainwright said. "But he told me to wait. He was there with his brother (Giants catcher Bengie Molina), and it's hard to argue with two of them."
However, now it appears Molina has no desire to relinquish the prized ball.
"He was trying to get that ball from me, I know," Molina said Monday at Roger Dean Stadium, two days before Cardinals pitchers and catchers report for workouts. "He deserves it. He does. But that's the one thing I have from a long season. I hit .216. It was a tough year. I didn't earn much else, but I have that ball.
Certainly Wainwright wants the ball back. He seems a bit perturbed, but not bitter or resentful over the matter.
"Hopefully, he'll change his mind. The final three outs of a World Series — how often do you get to do that in your career? But then, who's to say we would have gotten to that point had he not hit the home run against the Mets in the (National League Championship Series) or if he doesn't (bat) like 4 thousand in the World Series? He probably does deserve it."
In my opinion, the ball belongs in a museum in St. Louis however it seems the Cardinals aren't going to step into the middle of this controversy. So, if I had to choose between Wainwright and Molina, I think Wainwright is entitled to the ball. If Molina had not promised it to Wainwright than there would be no dispute in the first place and the ball would clearly belong to Molina. However, because the catcher verbally agreed to give the ball to Wainwright I truly believe Molina should act like a man, keep his word, and give the ball to Wainwright.
What do you think? At the end of the day, does the ball belong to Wainwright or Molina? Also, do you think if this matter does not get resolved it could have a negative affect on the team?
11 Comments:
c) Neither.
It should go on display somewhere in the Cardinals stadium.
"In my opinion, the ball belongs in a museum "
Mini Me, you sound like freakin' Indiana Jones!!
yep, agree with Twins. put it with the world series trophy which is probably somewhere in the front offices at Busch.
Give it back to the team for the trophy case.
This should be standard procedure.
They should put the ball somewhere up the left field line. I know that's where the Tigers pitchers wanted it to be throughout the World Series.
Is this going to happen every year now? It's going to get to the point where we treat these athletes like 6th graders and say that no one gets the ball and the team takes possession of it.
It belongs to Yadier because he can do nothing wrong. He's a god among among meer mortals.
I'd say since Molina currently has the ball, well then I guess he deserves it. There is no rule that says the pitcher gets the ball. Maybe Adam can bid for it on Ebay... considering Molina said, "It's been a tough year", he may get that wish sooner than later.
Whoever holds the ball last should keep it. Not very difficult.
I think I speak for all of Cardinal Nation when I say "WHO GIVES A FUCK ABOUT THE BALL!!!" We're World Champs, baby!!!
Lock them in a room with no windows. Last man standing gets to keep the ball.
The ump probably threw Wainwright 15 different baseball during the course of the 9th inning. Where are all of those balls? I'm cool with the last one to touch it...or finders keepers.
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