Only In Baseball

Only in Baseball:

• Doug Mientkiewicz, Red Sox first baseman who caught the last out in the 2004 Red Sox World Series victory holds the ball that signifies the end of the 86-year Red Sox title drought. Yet the Red Sox team owners believe the ball belongs to them. Will a custody battle break out, then a case of “ball-napping” and finally an Amber Alert for the missing ball?
• The Los Angeles Dodgers are not trying to trade Shawn Green, now for the third time. After stating the left-handed slugging right fielder and first baseman is not trade bait, General Manager Paul DePodesta has struck out twice trying to send him to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Now sources have confirmed that the commissioner’s office has granted the D-Backs another 48-hour window to make the deal with Green who is willing to waive his no-trade clause for the right contract extension. Maybe the third time will be the charm.
• Scouts are in need of help. The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills is the site of the second annual Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation dinner “In the Spirit of the Game” on Saturday evening, January 8. The foundation provides support to Professional Baseball Scouts who have fallen on hard times due to job loss, illness, retirement or other financial setbacks. Attendees at this fundraiser will include Frank Robinson, Duke Snider, Willie Mays, Reggie Jackson, Bret Saberhagen and many others including Boston Red Sox Curt Schilling, National League Manager of the Year Bobby Cox, and Los Angeles Dodger owner Frank McCourt. Tom Lasorda will be Master of Ceremonies. A silent auction of baseball memorabilia will take place to help raise money for the foundation.