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April 12, 2005
The Fellowship of the Rings
So was it worth waiting 86 years for?
The Idiots of October got one last moment in the sun before it's time to seriously get down to business. Everything (well, almost everything) about yesterday was just right: the flag unfurling; the parade of oldtimers; Bobby, Bill and Tedy; and most of all, Johnny Pesky, the most beloved Sok of 'em all, making his way down the champions' receiving line (best moment: Pesky greeting Curtis Leskanic, "Leskanic! You son of a bitch"). The Yankees, who we still hate but now in a different way, watching respectfully from the dugout steps.
I, frankly, could have done without the Terry Cashman song (Yves wondered if he wrote it in the cab on the way over), and the dual moment of silence for the Pope and Dick Radatz seemed a little...weird. But hey, it's not like the Sox have lots of practice putting together ceremonies like this.
So you want a haiku? OK, here's one.
The joy ride's over
One fifty-five left to go
Let's get back to work
PS - Simmons came out of semi-retirement and wrote a fantastic piece about the day.
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Comments
Oh yeah--it was sweet and done so well. How soon can we buy the DVD?
Posted by: GreenieGirl | April 13, 2005 09:35 AM
You mean you didn't digitally record it?!?
Too bad we couldn't DVR/Tivo Opening Day 1987 or whatever. It would have been interesting to relive the first appearance of Sean McDonough on your screen :P
Posted by: Michael | April 13, 2005 10:14 AM
Really good work by the Red Sox people managing the day. Nice touches with the military people bringing out the rings, giving out the rings in order by years of service to the organization - Ellis Burks, then Tim Wakefield, then Trot Nixon, and so on, having Bruschi throw out his first pitch to Francona since both went to same school and both have had heart-related problems, Orr to Foulke since Orr convinced Foulke, a big hockey fan, to sign with the Red Sox, Russell who led the Celts to their first title throwing to Schilling who did a commercial last year about coming to Boston to break and 86-year old curse ... and then did so.
It was also a very classy move on the part of the Yankees to watch the whole proceedings. Great reaction from Mariano Rivera to the cheering from the crowd.
Posted by: Vin | April 14, 2005 08:21 AM
