Capping a 24-hour journey from a safe-deposit box in Florida to Fenway Park, the ball that was flipped from Keith Foulke to Doug Mientkiewicz for the final out in the 2004 World Series arrived outside Gate D at 2:10 p.m. ET on Thursday to a full red-carpet ceremony.

An armored Brinks van carried the star of the day to Fenway, and once there, two security officers made their way out of the vehicle and through a group of 30 photographers, TV cameras and reporters, all the while carefully holding the black bag containing the prized ball.

"I have to say this tops the list," said Joseph Fleury, a 59-year-old Brinks guard and lifelong Sox fan from New Bedford, Mass., when asked where this mission ranks. "This is the cat's meow. I have done some other things for special transport, like a sport-related thing last year that dealt with the Super Bowl."

Fleury and fellow guard John Whynott were the two Brinks employees assigned the privilege of escorting the ball.

After completing the trip along the carpet to the entrance of the .406 Club on Yawkey Way, the ball was taken up two flights of escalators to the Red Sox Hall of Fame room, where it was finally taken out of the bag.

As is the case with any important delivery, someone had to confirm receipt and sign for the package. Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino, one of the executives who began the push to bring the ball back to Boston, gladly performed that duty.

Lucchino also had the honor of taking a knife to the beige box housing the most-anticipated bit of memorabilia from the team's most historic win and removing it from a temporary ball holder.

"All of the people of Red Sox Nation thank you for bringing this back to Fenway Park and the Red Sox Hall of Fame," Lucchino told the security officers. "I think the Red Sox fans, in light of their passion, loyalty and patient endurance over the years, are entitled to share this ball.

"They can view it with the trophy on tour and they can share the special moment that took place on Oct. 27, 2004, at 11:40 at night," Lucchino said.

The ball was transferred to a more permanent housing as part of a plaque that features a print of Mientkiewicz catching the ball from Foulke, with then-Cardinals and current Sox shortstop Edgar Renteria running down the first-base line. Above the ball is a short inscription describing the final out of Boston's first World Series victory since 1918.

Lucchino took time in the ceremony to thank the man who ultimately made Thursday's ceremony possible.

"I want to take a moment to thank Doug Mientkiewicz and his agent, Greg Landry, for their cooperation so that it can be put, as it should be, on exhibit for the fans, the people of Red Sox Nation," Lucchino said. "Thank you very much."

Following the season-long tour of Massachusetts, the ball will be returned to Mientkiewicz, who was traded to the Mets last month.

"I'm relieved, because I think it's an important piece of Red Sox history and it should be a ball that is honored and shared," Lucchino said. "I'm very happy to have it back at Fenway Park."

The ball didn't spend very long in the Hall of Fame room at Fenway, as it was ushered out to its first stop, the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission in Braintree, Mass., Thursday afternoon. The Commission is sponsoring the trophy and ball tour around the Commonwealth.

"There was enthusiasm from [owner] John [Henry], [chairman] Tom [Werner] and Larry to make a big deal, because we're seeing every day a sustained celebration when people see the trophy, and the ball has the same potential as a catalyst of discussion, emotion and family unity," said Dr. Charles Steinberg, vice president of public affairs. "It's an example of taking something ordinary, like a baseball you can buy in a store, but because of its special nature, it's sanctified and it's now a special ball because of what it represents to the people."