Reply #3: This has been debunked

[Caution]

Just another case of Dan Shaugnessy (local boston sports columnist) attempting to destroy a ball player in boston.

Doug Mientkiewicz was joking with Shaugnessy on that bit about the reiterment fund and Shaugnessy wrote it as if he was serious. He does this kind of crap all the time.

Doug Mientkiewicz From a radio interview today:

You’re right about that interview after the series. On the phone with this guy, I was laughing as saying things, and so was the other guy (Shaugnessy), you know, I thought it was a gonna be a good, light-hearted article. I figured he knew I was joking around about my kids at FSU, etc, you know, all in jest. Then I turn around and see (how it’s been portrayed...)

Interviewer: Players throughout time have always held onto balls, and they’ve loaned them out, so what’s the big fuss about here?

Doug: That’s what I thought. If they want to show it to fans, I’d be happy to. In fact, I’d show it off myself. I was furious when I came home after lifting weights, and got all these messages, people calling my mom, my sister. It’s out of control.

Interviewer 2: Has anyone from MLB or the HOF asked about the ball?

Doug: Nobody. I mean, I’ve had two offers for it. And I heard form Mr. Henry today, though that’ll remain private. But nothing from the hall of fame or MLB before the article. I want the fans to see it. I kept it so that it’s in a player’s hands, not in some person’s who’s going to run away with it and never see it again.