The player who caught the final out in last year's baseball's World Series has been traded from the champion Boston Red Sox to the New York Mets.
First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, who still has the baseball from the play that sealed Boston's first World Series title in 86 years, goes to the Mets in exchange for minor league first baseman Ian Bladergroen. Boston wanted the ball back, but Mientkiewicz kept it. He's now close to agreeing to let Boston have the ball for one year so it can be displayed for Red Sox fans.
Mientkiewicz had joined Boston near the end of last season from the Minnesota Twins. His departure means Kevin Millar will be the Red Sox starting first baseman. The Mets acquired Mientkiewicz after losing out to the Florida Marlins in trying to sign star free agent first baseman Carlos Delgado.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.