Athletes - Doug Mientkiewicz

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	Athletes - Doug Mientkiewicz

Douglas Andrew Mientkiewicz (born June 19, 1974 in Toledo, Ohio) is a first baseman, known for his sparkling defensive play on the field more-so than his abilities with the bat. Doug recently signed a one year deal with the Kansas City Royals. He previously played for the Minnesota Twins (1998-2004), Boston Red Sox (2004) and New York Mets (2005). Mientkiewicz played collegiate baseball at the Florida State University and was also on the U.S. Olympic team when they won the gold medal at the 2000 games in Sydney, hitting the game-winning grand slam against favorite Cuba. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.

High school career

At Westminster Christian High School in Miami, Florida, Doug Mientkiewitcz was a three-sport standout in baseball, basketball, and football. As a senior, he was an All-State pick in both baseball and football.

Collegiate Career

Mientkiewicz attended the Florida State University where he played for coach Mike Martin's Seminoles. He ended his career at FSU after his Junior year in 1995 ranked 10th in the NCAA in RBI and ninth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in batting average. He led his FSU team in batting average for three straight seasons and was selected to the College World Series All-Decade team for the 1990s.

MLB career

Mientkiewicz is a notorious line-drive hitter and hits well against both lefties and righties. He has a nice, short stroke with gap power (though no home run hitter) and tremendous discipline at the plate, coupled with good knowledge of the strike zone. For his career he has a good 0.951 walk-to-strikeout ratio (310-to-326). Though not a base-stealing threat, Mientkiewicz will get every extra base he can.

Defense is still the best part of Mientkiewicz's game. He has a great glove with soft hands, great mobility, good range and a strong arm. Also, Mientkiewicz is excellent at scooping balls in the dirt, tagging down on a high throw and extending himself to make the play. He won the Gold Glove Award in 2001.

In an eight-year career, Mientkiewicz is a .268 hitter with 50 home runs, 155 doubles, 294 RBI, 303 runs scored, and a .360 On-Base Percentage in 735 games.

The 2004 World Series ball controversy

Mientkiewicz recorded the final out of the 2004 World Series, ending Boston's 86-year championship drought. The Red Sox led 3-0 in Game 4 in St.Louis when Mientkiewicz entered in the bottom of the seventh inning as a substitute in first base. Mientkiewicz didn't handle the ball until there were two outs in the ninth. St. Louis shortstop Edgar Rentería grounded back to pitcher Keith Foulke, who trotted toward first base and underhanded the ball to Mientkiewicz. As the ball that symbolically ended the Curse of the Bambino, the item would be of considerable interest to memorabilia collectors. Controversy resulted when Mientkiewicz kept the ball and the Red Sox later asked for its return. A spokesperson for Major League Baseball indicated that the ball belonged to Mientkiewicz, but the Red Sox contended that it belonged to them, as they wanted to have it for archive or museum use. In an announcement made with the Red Sox in January 2005, Mientkiewicz said the ball will now accompany the World Series trophy as it makes its way through the cities, towns, and other assorted places of New England during its yearlong tour. The ball will be displayed as part of a special plaque. It was clear from the announcement that the ownership of the ball remains unresolved, or deferred, while giving fans the chance to see the ball. .

Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko recorded the final out of the 2005 World Series in similar fashion. His handling of the ball was less controversial than Mientkiewicz, as he very publicly turned the ball over to club chairman Jerry Reinsdorf during the team's victory celebration. During the off-season, Konerko was re-signed to a large contract.

Other facts

Mientkiewicz went to high school and was friends with all-star infielder Alex Rodriguez
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[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Doug Mientkiewicz ]

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