Michael Vick Does Not Approve

We haven't quite wrapped our minds around this alleged news that Jonathan Papelbon's dog at the clinching ball from the World Series last year. We're not sure we believe it.

No offense to Papelbon, who's awfully likable. (For a Sox player, anyway. Sorry!) It's just that he's enough of a goof that he could be playing around with everybody.

Before the new revelations, catcher Jason Vartiek was last sighted with the ball. He said he gave it to Papelbon, who said he couldn't find it. Unfortunately, his dog, Boss, did: "He jumped up one day on the counter and snatched it. He likes rawhide. He tore that thing to pieces."

If it's true, we can think of no better contrast — and look at why this title, in a way, might mean more to Red Sox Nation than 2004 did — than the fact that the first ball involved a struggle over history and money and ownership, and this one was eaten by Jonathan Papelbon's dog. You've earned it, Boston fans.

Red Sox World Series Ball Eaten By Jonathan Papelbon's Dog [Sports By Brooks]