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    Sunday, October 31, 2004

    Trolling Rally

    AP Photo/Julia Malakie
    Confetti rained down and the "Hallelujah Chorus" resounded through city streets yesterday as grateful fans showed affection for the World Series champion Boston Red Sox during a jubilant parade that briefly went afloat on the Charles River.

    An estimated 3.2 million people packed the 7-mile parade route on a raw and rainy autumn day, standing in dense crowds, leaning from windows and cheering from rooftops.

    Some held signs bearing words of thanks, marriage proposals and expressions of wonder at the team's achievement after 86 years of dashed hopes since its last championship in 1918.

    "All is forgiven," read one banner.

    "Now we just have to wait for the other six signs of the apocalypse," said another.

    And dozens said simply: "Thank you."

    Red Sox pitcher Derek Lowe, a former Mariner, said,
    "It started raining and it was cold and the people didn't even care. They've waited a long time. You'll never see a parade like that with so many people, no matter what sport or what city."
    Police said 15 people were arrested, 12 were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries and 30 were treated on the street.

    Pitcher Pedro Martinez was hit in the forehead by a baseball.

    "I have a little headache, but I'm OK,"
    he said.

    Full Story

    Saturday, October 30, 2004

    Don't Rain on Our Parade

    The Mets have been having discussions within the organization about the possibility of acquiring World Series MVP Manny Ramirez from the Red Sox, according to Newsday.

    If New York can't work out a deal for the slugger, the Mets could turn to Sammy Sosa as another option.

    Ramirez is the Mets' top choice to help with their struggles in the outfield, although a source on the Red Sox said it's "a long shot" that the $20 million outfielder would be dealt.

    The Mets are in desperate need of an estabishneed outfielder however, and if the quest for Ramirez and Sosa comes up short, New York will still likely bring in a proven player to man the outfield. The White Sox's Magglio Ordonez is one name often mentioned as a potential target.
    Story from FOX SPORTS
    Full Story
    ROLLING RALLY

    Friday, October 29, 2004

    Better Eat Your ...


    The Boston Red Sox will be the first World Series winner featured on a Wheaties box since the 1999 New York Yankees. The special edition package will picture slugger David Ortiz on the front of the box, along with his Red Sox teammates, cereal maker General Mills said Thursday, Oct. 28,2004. The box will be available in mid-November. Boston beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 Wednesday night for a four-game sweep to win their first World Series since 1918.

    You Love Me... You Really Really Love Me

    Boston got its first World Series championship in 86 years. TV got its most watched Fall Classic in nearly 10 years.

    Take that, Babe Ruth.

    Wednesday night's curse-breaking, series-clinching Boston Red Sox victory over the St. Louis Cardinals averaged 28.8 million fans--many of whom likely kept waiting for a groundball to run through somebody's legs and ruin everything.

    Overall, the four-game series averaged 25.5 million viewers for Fox--the most since 29 million watched the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Indians take six games in 1995 on ABC to settle the matter of which team had the most arguably offensive nickname, according to Nielsen Media Research.

    Viewership was up 26 percent from last year's series, which ran six games, and pitted Red Sox rivals the New York Yankees against the ultimately victorious Florida Marlins.

    Brief though it was, the World Series--the first won by the formerly cursed Red Sox since 1918--helped Fox dominate every night its action was featured.

    Sunday's Game 2 was watched by 25.5 million, followed by Tuesday's Game 3 (24.4 million) and Saturday's Game 1 (23.2 million).
    Full Story

    Thursday, October 28, 2004

    Listen Up Boston


    "For the next three days everybody is off of work. Have fun, enjoy this, and if you get in trouble with your boss, I got an excuse for it."- David Ortiz 10-27-2004

    The Year of the Idiot


    (Reuters Photo / Jessica Rinaldi)
    "I'm King of The World!"

    Curse RIP


    "I am pretty sure that a lot of people, if they die now they are going to die in peace."- Pedro Martinez 10-27-2004
    Thank You God!

    Nomar to Ring in Campionship

    Nomar Garciaparra's former Red Sox teammates voted him a full playoff share even though he was dealt to the Cubs July 31. ... Last year, the champion Marlins divided a $14.9 million pot, awarding 37 full shares of $306, 000, plus some partial shares and cash awards.
    Although shortstop Nomar Garciaparra was traded at midseason, he could share the spoils if the Boston Red Sox win the World Series.

    Players voted on postseason shares a month ago, and while those figures are undetermined, general manager Theo Epstein suggested they were
    "very generous"
    in deciding percentages. He sidestepped questions about whether the five-time All-Star would receive a championship ring.
    "my understanding is that it's an ownership call."
    No player would say it directly, but there was a sense Garciaparra deserved some hardware, some citing his eight-plus seasons of service to Boston and others believing he helped the club by agreeing to be traded at the July 31 deadline.

    "I voted him to have a full share because he was a big part of
    us getting to the point we got," said pitcher Tim Wakefield, the
    team's longest-tenured player and its former union representative.
    "And I think he deserves it."

    That would follow the precedent of recognizing players who have aided the cause, but outfielder Ellis Burks had a simpler theory.

    "I would think everyone who's been on the roster (would get one)," Burks said. "Even if you've been on the roster for 10 days, you get something, even a share. The grounds crew gets a ring, everybody in the front office gets one, so as a player you better get one."



    "1918, we weren't even alive back then, some of our grandparents weren't even alive back then. We knew about, especially from all the Yankee fans but we didn't care about it. We knew our team was very capable of doing it. We knew we had to sweep here, we couldn't give any momentum to the Cardinals. Being an idiot, it was something that took off, we're idiots this year, we're cowboys, but you know what? When it is all said and done we are 2004 World Champions."- Johny Damon 10-27-2004
    Destiny 3, St Louis 0

    Wednesday, October 27, 2004

    Up 3 Games to Fun





    I love You Man!


    I enjoyed my career in Boston

    Pedro gives a farewell speech after his game 3 start in the World Series
    "Its been great, its been a great ride. I hope everybody enjoyed it as much as i did. Even with the struggles that I have had, up and down during the season, I really enjoyed it, I enjoyed every moment, I enjoyed my career in Boston. I am really happy things went the way they have, I hope I get another chance to come back with this team, but if I don't I understand the business part of it, I just hope that many other people understand that I wasn't the one that wanted to leave. I am only doing what I have to do. They are going to have their chance to get me back in their uniform. If they don't get me its because they didn't try hard enough. My heart is with Boston, I consider Boston my house, its actually my house. You know I just hope every thing works out OK, the emotions are always going to be there. I am an emotional player, I am just going to do whatever possible to remain here and if it doesn't work out I am going to go way with all the respect for management for everybody. I will just continue to do what I have to do somewhere else and hopefully give them another push. I think four times out of seven years in the playoffs is not bad. Its not a bad average. Also preforming like I did tonight, and the previous games in the playoffs, its not bad. If I am to leave, I will leave and I will be proud of it."

    D Lowe

    One Win Away from ending Generations of Red Sox misery


    Idiot Nation


    Tito you have been talking so much about taking this a game at a time. How difficult will it be in the next 24 hours to not to think ahead about what the precipice this team is on at this point?
    "When you start using words I don't understand it doesn't make it that hard."
    Daddy

    (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
    Pedro works some magic and some how stymies the best line up in the NL with out a fast ball.
    Boston Red Sox
    PitchersIPHRERBBSOHRERA
    Pedro Martinez (W,2-1) 7.03002604.00

    Tuesday, October 26, 2004

    "Were in about a difficult spot as you can be, so all we can do is win tomorrow."
    Tony what up with Jeff Suppan not running home?
    "Jeff heard 'NO NO', and he was yelling 'GO GO'"
    How did soup pitch?
    "Before we start pointing fingers at our pitching, we have missed opportunities to score. We are just getting beat."



    REUTERS/Mike Blake

    WHO'S THE MAN...NY




    Manny Ramierez starts off his night with a two out 1 run homer in the first inning.

    Soups On

    Will the Red Sox Lineup Feast On Suppans Pitching?

    1-Johnny Damon CF
    2-Orlando Cabrera SS
    3-Manny Ramirez LF
    4-David Ortiz 1B
    5-Jason Varitek C
    6-Bill Mueller 3B
    7-Trot Nixon RF
    8-Mark Bellhorn 2B
    9-Pedro Martinez RHP













    Poor Tony

    The Cardinals may not be welcome back after St.
    Louis manager Tony LaRussa bad-mouthed this south shore city, which
    hosted the team for games 1 and 2 due to a shortage of hotel rooms
    in Boston.
    LaRussa told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the Cardinals were
    "upset and embarrassed"
    that they had to stay in Quincy, where
    there was a lack of late-night dining options for the team and its
    entourage.
    Quincy Mayor William Phelan fired back, telling the hometown
    Patriot-Ledger newspaper that LaRussa and his team should stop
    whining and pitch better.
    "If St. Louis had a decent pitching staff, they would have been
    back in Quincy in plenty of time to visit any one of our 30
    fantastic restaurants,"- Phelan said.

    Move Over Dirty Water?

    Each year there is one thing that is the iconic off field memory. When you talk about the team with your co-workers chances are that this is part of every conversation. Last year it was the whole "Cowboy Up" thing. Thank god this year that wasn't supplemented with "Yeeh Yeah", or "Idiots". However, when it is all said and done the one thing that you take away from the 2004 season as an everlasting memory (assuming they don't win it all) may be the Sox latest rally cry. This time courtesy of the re-tred Boston punk group "Dropkick Murphys."
    The Song is every where, its played after every sox win of late, but not before "Dirty Water" yet. Its played in every NESN highlight, its in the background of your dreams. You May as well learn the lyrics to the damn song you are humming non-stop to a band that you careless to be a fan off. Download the song for 99 cents at iTunes.com and then play it on your free ipod.
    ---------------------
    Tessie is the Royal Rooters rally cry
    Tessie is the song they always sung
    Tessie echoed April through October nights
    After serenading Stahl, Dineen and Young
    Tessie is a maiden with the sparkling eyes
    Tessie is a maiden with the love
    She doesn't know the meaning of her sight
    She's got a comment full of love
    And sometimes when the game is on the line
    Tessie always carried them away
    Up the road from Third Base to Huntington
    The boys will always sing and sway

    Two! Three! Four!

    Tessie, Nuff Ced McGreevy shouted
    We're not here to mess around
    Boston, you know we love you madly
    Hear the crowd roar to your sound
    Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
    You know we couldn't live without you
    Tessie, you are the only, only, only

    The Rooters showed up at the Grounds one day
    They found their seats had all been sold
    McGreevy led the charge into the park
    Stormed the gates and put the game on hold
    The Rooters gave the other team a dreadful fright
    Boston's tenth man could not be wrong
    Up from Third Base to Huntington
    They sang another victory song

    Two! Three! Four!

    Tessie, Nuff Ced McGreevy shouted
    We're not here to mess around
    Boston, you know we love you madly
    Hear the crowd roar to your sound
    Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
    You know we couldn't live without you
    Tessie, you are the only, only, only

    The Rooters gave the other team a dreadful fright
    Boston's tenth man could not be wrong
    Up from Third Base to Huntington
    They sang another victory song

    Two! Three! Four!

    Tessie, Nuff Ced McGreevy shouted
    We're not here to mess around
    Boston, you know we love you madly
    Hear the crowd roar to your sound
    Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
    You know we couldn't live without you
    Boston, you are the only, only, only
    Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
    You know we couldn't live without you
    Red Sox, you are the only, only, only
    Full Story

    A Tail of Two 16-9 Pitchers

    To compare Pedro with Red Sox cast off Jeff Suppan seems silly and insulting to the very concept of what Pedro Martinez is, but a closer look at the number reveals some disturbing similarities between the two pitchers who would never be linked in a sentence unless they pitched against each other. I hope Pedro and his agent take note.
    Boston Red Sox at St. Louis Cardinals, 8:30pm ET
    LAST GAME
    WLERAIPBBSO
    019.005.015

    37 Jeff
    Suppan
    - RHP
    LAST GAME
    WLERAIPBBSO
    017.717.024
    SEASON STATS
    W-LERAGCGSHOIP
    16-9 3.90 33 1 1 217.0
    HRERHRBBSO
    193 99 94 26 61 227
    VS. St. Louis

    W-LERAGIPHERBBSO
    2004 --- - - - - - - -
    Career 3-3 3.21 7 56.0 43 20 21 70
    CAREER POST SEASON
    W-LERAGCGSHOIP
    5-23.73120072.1
    HRERHRBBSO
    60303072474
    CAREER STATS
    W-LERAGCGSHOIP
    182-762.7138842162296.0
    HRERHRBBSO
    17467666911756152653





    SEASON STATS
    W-LERAGCGSHOIP
    16-9 4.16 31 0 0 188.0
    HRERHRBBSO
    192 98 87 25 65 110
    VS. Boston

    W-LERAGIPHERBBSO
    2004 --- - - - - - - -
    Career 2-3 5.02 7 43.0 42 24 17 20
    CAREER POST SEASON
    W-LERAGCGSHOIP
    2-12.8430019.0
    HRERHRBBSO
    10763711
    CAREER STATS
    W-LERAGCGSHOIP
    78-844.802531551480.1
    HRERHRBBSO
    1616849790202480830





    Who's Your Daddy?


    Monday, October 25, 2004

    St. Louis the Gateway To the World Series Champions

    (AP Photo/Al Behrman)



    Can You Smell What Petey's Cooking?

    (AP Photo/Al Behrman)


    Pedro Martinez shags balls in the outfield during a team workout at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Monday, Oct. 25, 2004. The Red Sox meet the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of the World Series Tuesday. The Red Sox lead the World Series 2-0.

    "I expect Pedro to pitch his fanny off, I think he's got rest. I think he feels good about himself." -Francona said.

    Red Sox Nation...err... Globe

    It's 5 a.m. in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Most people are sleeping or rubbing their eyes as they get ready for work. Ric Glaub and his friends, however, have their game faces on.

    It's October, and the Boston Red Sox are seeking their first World Series championship since 1918. The five members of the Tashkent Red Sox Fan Club, clutching their tea or coffee -- or if it's a weekend game, a bottle of Russian beer -- don't want to miss a pitch.

    "We have seen the sun come up in Tashkent many times over the past couple of weeks,"
    Glaub, an Idaho native who developed an affection for the Red Sox while working in Boston during the 1980s, said by e-mail.
    "Except on weekends, and even sometimes on weekends, most of us have to begin work as soon as the games end. Most Americans working here tend to put in long hours and watching these games takes away from already limited sleep time. We can have it no other way."

    Full Story

    Is Curt Done?

    I hope I don't have to pitch again"

    After the game there were some questions whether or not Curt would be able to go again this series. Francano would not let on that that was a possibility, however the Dr's may suggest otherwise.
    "I didn't think I was going to take the ball today. Thank God for Dr Morgan."
    Dr Morgan how do you feel about Curt pitching again?
    "Honestly, we may not be able to do it a third time," Morgan said. "It depends on what his tissues look like."

    Red Sox Led 1986 Series 2-0


    Sunday, October 24, 2004



    October 24, 2004

    St. Louis 2, Boston 6 at Fenway Park

    Winning Pitcher - Curt Schilling (1-0)
    Losing Pitcher - Matt Morris (0-1)

    Final123456789RHE
    St. Louis000100010250
    Boston
    20020200x684

    Boston lead series 2-0













    Gets It Done Again!




    Mark Bellhorn is hitting 600 for the World Series and hit 2 more valuable RBI in game two.

    Red Sock

    A blood stain is visible on the sock on Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling's right foot as he pitched against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning of Game 2 of the World Series at Fenway Park in Boston on October 24, 2004. The Red Sox team doctor put stitches in Schilling's ankle to hold a dislocated tendon in place.













    REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine

    Tek Money


    Jason Tek Money Varitek strikes first, after sitting out most of game 1, hits a 2 run triple to the deepest park of the park. Giving Schilling a 2-0 lead as he entered the second inning. He also ripped a whole the size of a Whopper in his pants seat as he slid into third.

    3 That's The Magic Number

    3
    That's the Magic Number
    Yes it is
    It's the magic number
    Somewhere in this hip-hop soul community
    Was born 3 Mase, Dove and me
    And that's the magic number
    (What does it all mean?)
    Difficult preaching is Posdnuos' pleasure
    Pleasure and preaching starts in the heart
    Something that stimulates the music in my measure
    Measure in my music, raised in three parts
    Casually see but don't do like the Soul
    'Cause seein' and doin' are actions for monkeys
    Doin' hip hop hustle, no rock and roll
    Unless your name's Brewster, 'cause Brewsters are funky
    Parents let go 'cause there's magic in the air
    Criticising rap shows you're out of order
    Stop look and listen to the phrase Fred Astaires
    And don't get offended while Mase do-se-do's your daughter
    A tri-camera rolls since our music's now set
    Fly rhymes are stored on a D.A.I.S.Y. production
    It stands for 'Da Inner Sound Y'all' and y'all can bet
    That the action's not a trick, but showing the function
    Everybody wants to be a deejay
    Everybody wants to be an emcee
    But being speakers are the best
    and you don't have to guess
    De La Soul posse consists of three
    And that's the magic number

    Foulke Blows It ... Wins It

    It was not pretty, but it doesn't matter a World Series win is always pretty. The old problems that plagued the Red Sox for the first half of the season (errors) nearly cost the Red Sox game one of the World Series. Foulke came in with a two run lead to close out the game, but thanks to a couple of Manny errors that didn't happen and Foulk received his first World Series blown save. He stayed in the game (of course) and let the Red Sox offense do what it does best, score runs. Enter the Bellhorn Basher who hit a walk off game winning 2 run homer 1 inning early in the 8th.
    "I don't fell as good as I would like to but you have to go out there and make your pitches. In these situations it doesn't matter if it is the World Series or the first game of the season, you go out there, make adjustments on the fly and get the job done."
    That he did as he earned his first ever World Series win.
    (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

    Boston Red Sox
    PitchersIPHRERBBSOHRERA
    Tim Wakefield 3.2355521 9.82
    Bronson Arroyo 2.1422040 8.03
    Mike Timlin 1.1111000 6.30
    Alan Embree0110000 3.18
    Keith Foulke (BS,1; W,1-0) 1.2200130 0.00

    The Bellhorn Poll



    How many times has a player hit the foul poll 2 games in a row for what amounted to be a game winning homer? In the playoffs? Probably never.

    I'm not here trying to be a hero, I'm just here trying to win four games,"
    Correction 3 games

    Saturday, October 23, 2004

    Are You Hungover?

    Given all the energy they exerted and emotion they invested in beating the Yankees, it would be perfectly logical to suggest the Red Sox could have something of a letdown against the Cardinals.

    And, according to several Boston players, absolutely wrong.

    "I don't see it happening,"
    closer Keith Foulke said.
    "Just because the Yankees are gone doesn't mean our job is done. Every guy on the club is aware of that. I guarantee you we'll come out with as much or more intensity."


    "There's not going to be an ALCS hangover like people think,"
    pitcher Derek Lowe said.
    "We're not New York and won 26 World Series and say, "Oh, well, here we go again.' It's been 18 years since we've been here. A lot of people think we're just happy to get here. No way. Guys realize we're four wins away from one of the greatest parades in the history of sports."


    Full Story

    Joe Buck: The Cards Are His Daddy

    When you tuned into the ALCS if you remember one thing other than the tremendous baseball on the field, you probably remember one man... Joe Buck.
    He called the play by play, he did the pre-game interviews, and he was everywhere, even in seemingly every commercial during his very broadcast. Buck is a good baseball broadcaster, which is not debatable, but is Red Sox Nation ready to have every World Series game called by the Cardinals hometown play-by-play announcer?


    I don't consider myself the kind of guy who's tucking himself into bed at night with his little Cardinals PJ's on."
    Buck faced questions this week if he is ready to call a non-biased game.
    I take my history out of it and I do my job. The most important thing I do is try to be balanced and report it for both sides. I really take pride in that. I'm a professional. As far as the scrutiny, I put enough scrutiny on myself to do a good job and whoever has anything to say, they can say whatever they wish."


    Full Story

    Gay Fun

    The Yankees Series is over with. It gives our fans some bragging rights in those cities, but we have a plan and that's to win the World Series"


    said first baseman Kevin Millar, who is hitting .265 in the postseason.
    REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi

    Today is the First Day of the Rest Of Your Life


    "I'm excited,"
    Wakefield said.
    "It's the first time I've experienced the World Series and the first time Boston is experiencing the World Series since 1986. It's a real honor."

    Friday, October 22, 2004

    Vegas Baby



    The Red Sox are the slight betting favorites to win the World Series. The oddsmaker for the eight casinos of M-G-M Mirage says he expects wagering will continue to favor the Red Sox because of sentimental reasons. The good people at sportsinteraction.com, an online betting service agree.

    Full Story
    Welcome to Our House
    REUTERS/Shaun Best


    St Louis pitchers Matt Morris and Chris Carpenter walk out of the Monsta on Friday afternoon.
    Top Ten Secrets To The Boston Red Sox Comeback presented by Curt Schilling

    10. Unlike the first three games, we didn't leave early to beat the traffic.

    9. We put flu virus in Jeter's gatorade.

    8. Let's just say Pete Rose made some phone calls for us.

    7. We asked Pokey Reese to be a little less pokey.

    6. It's not like we haven't won a big game before--it's just been 86 years.

    5. Honestly, I think we were tired of hearing about the Patriots.

    4. The messages of encouragement Martha sent on prison napkins.

    3. We pretended the baseball was Letterman's head.

    2. What'd you expect--we have a guy who looks like Jesus!

    1. We got Babe Ruth's ghost a hooker and now everything's cool.



    Full Story