Boston's Ballgate

What is it with these Boston Red Sox and the whereabouts of baseballs?

They can rally from the brink of elimination in the ALCS, win a series they had no business winning and go on to win the World Series. But keep track of the ball used for the final out? Nope, that’s when they turn into the Keystone Cops.

Another World Series title, another search for a missing baseball.

Just like in 2004, the Red Sox are wondering what happened to the game ball used to record the final out in Game 4 at Coors Field.

Catcher Jason Varitek was seen tucking it into his back pocket as he ran to the mound, but he said he gave it to closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Papelbon’s agent said Papelbon has no idea where the ball is.

Unlike in 2004, this ball isn’t earmarked for the Hall of Fame, though Red Sox officials would love to keep it in the family.

“I guess we’ll have another story line as we head into November,” team vice president Charles Steinberg told the Boston Globe. “I don’t know where the ball is. I haven’t heard anything about it.”

Now, if you told me Manny Ramirez lost it I would believe you. Manny has lost many baseballs, usually on the other side of the outfield fence.

Maybe the ball just disappeared into Denver’s thin air.