Cash for Doug

Doug Mirabelli was back in the Fens last night hanging out and drawing warm greetings from his former teammates. But it was nothing compared to the welcome he received over the weekend.

The former Red Sox catcher was the center of attention Saturday at Chicopee's annual Fest-of-All, where an estimated 134 Doug fans waited in the rain to secure Mirabelli's autograph.

The cost: $20.

Not for nothing, but a signed Mirabelli Topps card is going for 99 cents on eBay.

Writes the Springfield Republican's Ron Chimelis: "I am reminded that Red Sox fans are the best. And I realize that if this many people are this eager to pay $20 for a Doug Mirabelli autograph, the economy can't possibly be as bad as I'd thought."

Not to mention, for $3.51 more, Mirabelli fans could have purchased one of the catcher's bats, described by its seller as, "in great shape and doesn't look like it's ever hit a ball."

I'm not sure if that's an enticing factor or not.