SABR Day in America

Saturday was “SABR Day in America”, when local chapters of the Society for American Baseball Research planned baseball-related events across the country.  Since it was a mild, sunny day and I had my online ticket sale needs wrapped up early, I decided to join the Boston group at their event – a walking tour that provided a light-hearted look at  lesser-known and somewhat infamous sites around the Fenway area.

The Teammates statue sits outside of the entrance to the right field stands, on the corner of Ipswich and Van Ness streets.

Our first stop was the Teammates statue outside Gate B.  There was nothing infamous about the four players depicted, but rather the spot was chosen because it’s the entrance to the right field stands.  Our guide shared a story about 30 men who were ejected from the right field area at a game in July of 1912 for yelling insults at the Boston players.  They made an example of those rowdy fans because the following week the Detroit Tigers were coming to town, and they wanted the great Ty Cobb to “get a fair shake”.  We also learned that Van Ness Street was named by John I. Taylor, the Red Sox owner who built Fenway Park, after his wife’s maiden name.

From there, we progressed to the steps outside Gate A, where we heard more tales of people ejected from the World Series games in 1912.  One group of men sued the Red Sox, since they had made the “great sacrifice” of $3 to purchase tickets to the game, and were further outraged when their bribe of $15 to let them stay was rebuffed.  Another story was the scandalous tale of a woman from New York who had been loudly shouting and “raving” for the Giants and was found passed out in the stadium after the game.  She was taken to the hospital where she continued to rave all night.  The newspaper made sure to report that she was dressed all in silk, “including her undergarments”, and carried a velvet purse.

While outside the park, we also listened to a couple of songs about famous and infamous moments in Red Sox history – like an old-time rendition of the 1903 version of “Tessie” which had a modern twist; a song about the 2005 season called “No Pedro, No Nomar, No Lowe”; and Gene Stamell’s “Billy We Hardly Knew Ye” off the Diamond Cuts: Bottom of the Fifth CD, about Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.

"Fenway Special" indeed. Is this what the guys were eating in the clubhouse last September?

Our next stop was the Popeye’s fast food fried chicken restaurant on Brookline Ave., to commemorate the epic collapse of 2011 which included certain members of the starting rotation eating fried chicken and drinking beer in the clubhouse during games.

490 Commonwealth Avenue, site of the former Hotel Kenmore.

Next we walked through Kenmore Square, which was called Governor’s Square back in the early days of Fenway Park, to the site of the old Hotel Kenmore.  Later a dorm for Graham Junior College, and now apartments, in the early 20th Century the building was the largest hotel in the area.  Its claim to fame is that it served as the visiting teams’ hotel, and is the only hotel to have hosted all major league teams (that existed at the time), including National Leaguers who came to town to play the Braves.

BU's Myles Standish Hall used to be a hotel frequented by Babe Ruth.

Our next stop was Myles Standish Hall at 610 Beacon Street.  It’s now a Boston University dorm, but before 1949 it was the Myles Standish Hotel.  It was a favorite of Babe Ruth, who always stayed in room 818 when in town to play the Red Sox.  We also learned that Red Sox pitcher Ellis Kinder almost burned it down one night when he fell asleep with a lit cigarette.

The Hotel Buckminster, where the Black Sox scandal of 1919 was planned.

From there we walked back up to the Hotel Buckminster at 645 Beacon Street, which is notorious for being the spot where gambler Joseph “Sport” Sullivan met with Chicago first baseman Chick Gandil to propose fixing the 1919 World Series.  In the lobby of the hotel where the Black Sox scandal was hatched, we learned about that afternoon’s game against the Red Sox, a contest won by Chicago 3-2 on the strength of pitcher Eddie Cicotte, who was another one of the players in on the fix.

The Dugout Cafe, a frequent haunt of Pinky Higgins.

Our final stop was the Dugout Cafe, a few blocks up the street at 722 Commonwealth Ave.  It’s now mostly a B.U. hangout, but it was one of the first bars to open in Boston after the repeal of Prohibition, and a couple of decades later was said to be a favorite post-game spot of Pinky Higgins.  Higgins, who served as both manager and general manager of the Red Sox in the late 50’s, is known as one of the people responsible for making the Red Sox the last team to integrate, and it’s said that while at the Dugout he would sometimes drink so much that he’d fall off his barstool.  I’m happy to report that no one in our group followed suit.

Red Sox Road Trip

The weekend before the start of ticket sales for the 2012 season, the Red Sox held their annual road trip, taking the World Series trophies and ticket vouchers to locations around New England.  This year the schedule worked well for me so that I didn’t have to drive to New Hampshire or Maine, heading instead to the Solomon Pond Mall in Marlborough, MA.  In past years, the event gave us the chance to have our picture taken with one of the World Series trophies and get a voucher for a pair of tickets in a pre-sale during the coming week.  This year the vouchers allowed up to four tickets, and the event also contained a display of Red Sox memorabilia and appearances by players.

I got to meet Mike Aviles.

I got to the mall early, so I was up near the front of the line.  After filling out a form for a raffle of an Opening Day VIP package and picking up my ticket voucher, my first stop was the autograph table where Red Sox infielder Mike Aviles was seated.  While he served in a backup role last year, even seeing some time in the outfield, the news had broken the night before that Marco Scutaro had been traded, meaning unless there was another move soon, Aviles would likely be the team’s starting shortstop.  I brought along a photo I had taken from behind home plate before a game last year.  Before he signed, he paused and said, “This is a really good picture.”  I knew that he had joined the team at the trade deadline last year, and that the picture was from a game in August, so I told him, “That was from the game with the triple play.”  It cracked me up when he answered excitedly, “Oh, the triple play?  I was at that game!”  He had posed with several people in front of me, and the line was moving slowly because it took everyone a while to fill out the raffle form, so I asked if he’d take a picture with me, and he obliged.  I think I’ve got a new favorite player!  (Yes, I know they’re all in my top 25, but he just shot up in the ranks.)

Bill Mueller's Yankee-killing bat.

Next was a table containing Red Sox memorabilia from the Fenway Park Archives display at the ballpark.  Among other things, they had some bowling pins from the bowling alley that used to be under Fenway, the bat used by Bill Mueller when he hit the walk-off home run off Mariano Rivera in the game with the Tek/A-Rod brawl in 2004, the jersey worn by Carl Yastrzemski at the Ted Williams memorial tribute in 2002, and a 1999 All-Star Game ball signed by Pedro Martinez.

The 2007 World Series trophy was on display.

The final table held the 2007 World Series trophy.  (The ‘04 trophy was on a different leg of the road trip.)  The whole time we were going through the line people were singing the National Anthem as an audition for the “Sing your way to Fenway” contest.  After I finished, I went up to the second floor to get some pictures from above.  I waited around a little while longer, because Rich Gedman, the former catcher who’s now a coach in the minors, was also supposed to be appearing, but he didn’t end up showing while I was there.

PawSox Hot Stove League Party

On Friday night it was time for an annual tradition, the Pawtucket Red Sox’ Hot Stove League Party.  The free event gives fans a chance to meet some of the top prospects in the organization, ask questions, and get autographs.  In the past few years it’s been held on a Saturday morning, but this time it was on a Friday night, which I found a lot more inconvenient.  My friends weren’t able to bring their kids because of all their after-school activities and sports, and I had to battle Friday evening traffic on Route 95, but I’m glad I was able to make it.  With fewer people in attendance it was certainly easier to navigate than the crowded Saturdays of years past.

Alex Wilson is one of the Red Sox' top pitching prospects. He spent most of last season in Double A, with a call-up to Triple A in August. He pitched well at both levels, and the Red Sox named him their minor league pitcher of the year.

It was a cold, blustery night, but baseball season was in full swing at McCoy Stadium.  (I joked that usually this event is held on the coldest morning of the year, but now they had somehow managed to find the coldest night of the year.)  My first stop was the batting tunnel, where the batting cages and workout equipment were moved out of the way.  Catcher Luis Exposito and pitchers Brandon Duckworth and Alex Wilson answered questions from fans in a session hosted by PawSox radio announcer Steve Hyder.  One fan asked each player what position he’d like to play if he could pick a different one.  Exposito said he’d like to be a pitcher, and Wilson said he’d be a centerfielder (”I’d have to be faster, but I could still throw people out.”)  Duckworth laughed and said, “DH.”  After the Q & A session, we were able to get autographs from all three players.  I had them sign a photo I had taken at a PawSox game a couple of years ago.

Luis Exposito and Brandon Duckworth sign autographs for fans. Exposito spent the whole 2011 season in Triple A after working his way up through the Red Sox organization. Duckworth has seen time in the majors with the Phillies, Astros, and Royals before signing with the Red Sox last spring.

When I was done in the batting tunnel, I went into the home clubhouse, where PawSox manager Arnie Beyeler and outfielder Alex Hassan were autographing.  After going through that line, I stuck around for their Q & A session, in which we learned that Hassan’s favorite players growing up in Milton, MA, were Manny Ramirez, Nomar Garciaparra, and Pedro Martinez.  (This made me feel old, since they’re players I rooted for as an adult, but I felt a little better later when I realized that I’m only a couple of years older than the journeyman Duckworth.)  Beyeler was asked about coaching third, a task performed by minor league managers.  He said he definitely hears about it from fans when a runner is thrown out at the plate, but that he also hears about it when he holds a runner at third, and that either way he’s just happy that the fans care enough to holler.

Alex Hassan's .404 OBP while playing in Double A Portland last year led all Red Sox minor leaguers in that category.

When the Q & A finished up, I headed into the visitors’ clubhouse, where the private restroom in the manager’s office had been designated as a ladies’ room, and then grabbed some chips and soda.  I stopped for a free hot dog out in the concourse, and then browsed through the many displays of photos and memorabilia that line the walls of the hallway on my way out.

Baseball signed by Dave Stapleton, who was the International League MVP in 1979.

The Great Fenway Park Yard Sale

This Saturday marked the first wave of ticket sales for the 2012 season.  There was a lot going on, with two invitation-only events at the ballpark – Christmas at Fenway and the Great Fenway Park Yard Sale – plus 4-game ticket packages and individual game tickets going on sale online and over the phone.  It’s important to me to try to get the Opening Day Sox Pax, because that’s really the only way to make sure I’m at the opener (this year will be my 12th straight) even though this year two of the games in the Opening Day Sox Pax conflict with my 10-game Tenth Man Plan package which renews every year.  And the best way to make sure I can get the Opening Day pack would be to win the drawing and get selected to attend Christmas at Fenway in person.  Unfortunately I lost that drawing, just like I do every year, which means I’d have to stay home and try to get my tickets online.

Here are the treasures I managed to find at this year's Fenway Park Yard Sale.

I did, thanks to being a Tenth Man Plan holder, get an invitation to the Yard Sale, where we can rummage through boxes of publications, signage, and other trinkets.  The invitation was for 11:00, but with ticket sales starting at 10 and an hour’s drive to Boston, I knew it would be later in the day, if at all, before I could get there.

They seem to have improved the online ticket process, because I was able to get the tickets I wanted without the drama or trauma of previous years, and then I headed in to Fenway around noon.  The Yard Sale took place in the third base concourse and the Absolut Clubhouse.  There was a lot of memorabilia for sale, including framed photos, game-used jerseys and bats, and autographed balls, but even Wily Mo Peña’s jersey and Jeremy Giambi’s broken bat were out of my price range.  I was more interested in the big boxes in the concourse with old media guides and other publications, all for $1 apiece.  I already have a lot of the ones that were there, but I found a 1995 Media Guide to add to my collection and a “2009 Official Averages” book with the final stats of all players in 2009.  I also grabbed two magnetic concession stand signs.  Then I picked up a pin with an interesting story.  It has the Red Sox logo and says “10th World Series”.  A staffer explained that they were commemorative pins given out to the media who covered the World Series games.  However, they had been made in 2003, in anticipation of the Red Sox making it that year, which (ahem) didn’t exactly work out.  But they were able to use them in 2004, when the team did play in the World Series for the 10th time in franchise history.

My final stop, and the highlight of my trip, was the brick pile to pick out an authentic Fenway Park brick.  After I had chosen the perfect one, I turned around and saw Jon Lester signing autographs for the Christmas at Fenway patrons.  There were barricades up and workers were checking wristbands, so I couldn’t get in the line.  But I was happy just to be at Fenway Park after being away for so long, not to mention with the results of my yearly treasure hunt.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to watch Pedro Martinez in action, but he’s still one of my all-time favorite players.  (Technically it’s a tie between him and David Ortiz for my top spot, but the way I figure it, since one is a pitcher and the other is a hitter, I shouldn’t have to choose.)  When Pedro was in his prime, there was no one more dominant.  One of my favorite stats to quote is that his 1.74 ERA in 2000 was less than half of the 3.70 compiled by the 2nd-place finisher.  But don’t even ask me to pick my favorite Pedro game.  I might eventually settle on Game 5 of the 1999 Division Series, when he came into a slugfest with an ailing back and held the mighty Cleveland offense hitless for the final six innings – but not before considering his 17-strikeout one-hitter in New York in September of 1999, or the Pedro vs. Roger duel on Memorial Day weekend of 2000 when Trot Nixon’s ninth-inning homer won it for the Sox, or the “Where is Roger/In the shower” playoff game in 1999, or the near no-hitter in Tampa Bay in 2000.  Or maybe I’d pick Labor Day of 2000, when Carlton Fisk’s #27 was retired before the game and Pedro beat the Mariners.  On paper it was a rather methodical 8-inning, 11-K performance, but I had the pleasure of seeing that one in person, and what stays with me most about that day is walking back to the T after the game and watching as gleeful fans ran down Lansdowne Street waving giant Dominican flags and chanting “Pedro, Pedro!” while car horns honked and people cheered.

The Best Pitcher on the Planet, future Hall-of-Famer, 2004 World Champion, and my all-time favorite player at a toy drive in Bedford, MA.

Pedro Games during his heyday were certainly appointment viewing.  At work we’d try to predict not the outcome of the game, because that was never in doubt, but how many strikeouts he’d pick up or whether this would finally be the night he threw a no-hitter.  In person, it was even more fun.  Normally at games people will wait to get up from their seats until the visiting team is at bat, but when Pedro pitched that’s when we were glued to our seats.  It was after he’d walk off the mound at the end of the inning that we’d see the mass exodus of people heading to the concession stands and restrooms.

So when I heard that The Best Pitcher on the Planet himself was going to be hosting a toy drive in a nearby town, I knew immediately that I had to go.  The event was held at the HomeGoods in Bedford, MA, and benefited children here in Boston and in the Dominican Republic.  We just had to bring two new, unwrapped toys to donate, and we could get an autograph from the future Hall-of-Famer.  As the day approached, I felt like I had gone back in time to a decade ago and was counting down to Pedro Day again.  That anticipation was especially welcome after a horrid end to last season and a beginning of the off-season that saw the team I love further dismantled.  But here I was walking around for a week with a grin on my face thinking, “I’m going to see Pedro,” just like in the good old days.

Pedro looked the same as always, right down to that endearing impish grin.

The event was scheduled from 5 to 7 pm, but shortly after noon a friend of mine posted on Facebook that she had driven past the store and people were already in line.  So I rushed to get ready and jumped in the car, arriving around 2:00.  The line was already over 100 people long, and we would be waiting outside all afternoon.  It was a sunny day and relatively mild for December, but by the time the sun set at 4:00, I was wishing I had brought my hat and gloves.

When Pedro arrived at 5:00, we were finally allowed to enter the store, but it was still another hour before I got to the front of the line.  I had brought with me a picture of myself with the 2004 World Series trophy which I’ve taken to Spring Training and other events to be signed by members of that historic team.  It’s getting pretty full, but he found some space and signed in neat lettering.  I made sure to thank him for his part in what was the best season ever as far as I’m concerned: “Pedro, I just want to thank you for 2004.  It meant so much to so many people.”  If I could personally thank every last one of them, I would!  The best part was his response: “No, thank you. It was well-deserved.”

Red Sox Charity Wines Launch Party

On Thursday, I was fortunate to be able to attend the launch party for this year’s selection of Red Sox inspired charity wines.  I was lucky on two counts – not only was it a fun event that I’m happy to promote, but because of the invitation I had planned on taking Thursday off from work long before I knew I’d be staying till the end of Wednesday night’s game which finished up at 2:45 am.  Fourteen short hours later, I was back in the Fenway area for the event, which was held across the street from the park at the House of Blues.

Jon Lester is interviewed by Heidi Watney. Jon's CabernAce will benefit the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

This year’s Red Sox wines are Jon Lester’s CabernAce and Clay Buchholz’s ChardonClay.  100% of the proceeds from the sale of the wines will benefit charities close to the hearts of the players.  Lester’s will benefit the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, where he was treated for lymphoma more than four years ago.  Buchholz’s will go to the Jimmy Fund in support of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute here in Boston, where he serves as co-captain for the 2011 season.

Clay Buchholz poses with a drawing advertising his ChardonClay, which benefits the Jimmy Fund.

The event was emceed by NESN reporter Heidi Watney, and we heard from the president of Charity Wines and representatives from both cancer research centers.  Then the players took the stage to talk about how they chose their wines (Lester: “I told them I like red wine”), their connections to the selected charities, and what it’s like being a new dad (Buchholz: “She’s a great baby – she sleeps a lot, and I like to sleep too”), before taking questions from the audience.

Photo by John McGlynn, used by permission.

We got to sample the wines, and the cabernet was my favorite, although I generally prefer red wines to whites so I’m probably biased.  Both CabernAce and ChardonClay retail for $14 and will be available beginning next week in stores in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  They can also be purchased at CharityWines.com for fans living out-of-state.  Pick up a bottle of each – perfect for celebrating Red Sox victories and supporting a worthy cause in the process.

In the Boston area, we’ve had more snow this January than we normally get in a whole winter.  So when the opportunity came to think baseball for a day, I jumped at the chance, even though I was supposed to be home preparing to host a dinner party that night.  The PawSox Hot Stove Party is an annual event that’s been going on for over 30 years, but I just found out about it last year.  Some of the top prospects in the organization are on hand, holding Q & A sessions and signing autographs for fans.  The best part is that the whole event – including parking and food – is free.

Jason Rice, Stephen Fife, and Robert Coello sign autographs for fans.

While waiting in the line outside before the start of the event, I bumped into a friend and two of his kids.  His brother joined them later too.  Our first stop was the batting tunnel, where three pitchers – Robert Coello, Stephen Fife, and Jason Rice – were assembled.  Originally drafted by the Reds as a catcher, Coello converted to a pitcher and was playing in the independent leagues a couple of years ago when he signed with the Red Sox.  He got into a handful of games with the Red Sox last September, but is likely headed back to Pawtucket for the 2011 season.  Fife, a starter, and Rice, a closer, both pitched for the Sea Dogs last year and hope to earn promotions to Pawtucket.

Robert Coello answers a question.

First there was a Q & A session with the three pitchers.  One kid asked what it’s like to be called up to the majors.  Coello is the only one of the three who’s had that chance, so he answered that it was a very special feeling and he called all his family and friends.  Fife added that getting a promotion to any new level is exciting.  Rice quipped, “I don’t know what it’s like yet, but I’ll probably faint.”  Then they were asked which major leaguer they’d most like to strike out.  Rice and Coello both said A-Rod; Fife picked Mark Teixeira.  All three got applause from the partisan crowd for their responses.  After the interrogation, we got to get autographs from the players.  I brought a print-out of a panoramic photo of McCoy Stadium that I had taken at a game last year, and both Coello and Fife admired the picture before signing it.

Jason Rice and Stephen Fife.

From there we moved into the visitors’ clubhouse, where we found new PawSox manager Arnie Beyeler and catching prospect Ryan Lavarnway.  Beyeler has managed the Sea Dogs for the past four years, and was promoted to Pawtucket when Torey Lovullo left to join John Farrell’s coaching staff with the Blue Jays.  Lavarnway split the 2010 season between Single-A Salem and Double-A Portland.  They also took questions from fans before signing autographs.

Arnie Beyeler and Ryan Lavarnway.

After seeing all the players, we stopped for some free hot dogs, chips, and soda.  I enjoyed looking at the extensive memorabilia collection that lines the walls of the hallway on the way out.  Before leaving, we got a chance to step into one of the luxury boxes and take a look at the field, blanketed under a layer of snow.

With Opening Day over two months away, McCoy Stadium's field is covered in snow.

I was glad that the lines seemed to be better organized than last year, so it didn’t take all day to get through both rooms.  I was able to get my baseball fix in the morning, and still had time to finish cleaning the house and make guacamole before my dinner guests arrived.

Despite being a chilly week in December, it’s been an exciting 7 days for those of us who make Red Sox rooting a year-round endeavor.  Last Saturday I slept late, awakening to the news that the Red Sox had traded for Adrian Gonzalez, the gold glove first baseman who has emerged as one of the elite hitters in the game and is just entering his prime.  There was a scare Sunday afternoon when it was reported that the trade was off after they were unable to sign him to an extension.  Then late Sunday night, we heard the trade was back on, with the extension to be worked out once the season starts.  On Monday, there was a brief but worthwhile break from baseball while the Patriots clobbered the Jets in an entertaining Monday Night Football win.  But by the time I was ready for bed on Wednesday night, the Red Sox were back in the spotlight, announcing a stunning deal with outfielder Carl Crawford, the prize position player on the free agent market.  There was a noticeable baseball buzz in Boston, and it was capped off this Saturday with the first wave of ticket sales for the 2011 season.

I didn’t win the Christmas at Fenway lottery, so I wasn’t going to be able to buy my tickets in person.  That meant that this morning I got up early to set up my computers for a day of “virtual waiting”.  As I waited, I watched Crawford’s introductory press conference on NESN.  At 11:00, I saw an update on Facebook that the Fenway Park Yard Sale would be open from 1 – 5.  I assumed that meant it was open to the public and not just lottery winners, but it wasn’t entirely clear.  Last year the Yard Sale was a separate lottery event the day after tickets went on sale.  While I had lost out on the lottery, I ended up getting a “second chance” email invitation late in the afternoon.  So this year I was excited that I was able to get through the virtual waiting room and get the tickets I wanted early enough to be able to go to the Yard Sale in the afternoon.

My loot from the 2010 Fenway Park Yard Sale.

When I got to Fenway it turned out the Yard Sale was open to the public, so I was glad I had decided to go in.  It’s too bad they didn’t advertise it that way, or send out “second chance” emails to the lottery losers, because I’m sure there are other people who would have wanted to go.  At the Yard Sale, we could get a bag full of publications and memorabilia, including one Fenway Park brick, for $20.  I found all kinds of interesting things to add to my collection.  I’ve been buying the Media Guide every year since 1996, but I found some older ones from 1993, 1992, 1988, and 1985.  I found postseason media guides from 1999, 1998, and 1988, a 1999 Division Series program, a pamphlet detailing why Dom DiMaggio should be in the Hall of Fame, a scorecard from Fenway’s 80th anniversary in 1992, a commemorative folder from the unveiling of the Teammates staue outside Gate B this year, and a magnetic “3.50″ sign off a concession stand.  (Does that mean food prices are going up again this year?  And what can you actually get for $3.50 anyway?)

Once I added my Fenway Park brick, I went into the adjoining room, where there was additional memorabilia for sale.  There were things like game-used jerseys, bats, autographed balls, and faded championship banners that used to hang on Yawkey Way, but all of these were out of my price range.  I did enjoy looking through a box of old signs, and a “Reserved Parking” sign caught my eye.  I recently moved to a new place with a garage, and the sign was only $5, so it will be perfect hanging in the garage.  I also looked through a stack of nameplates off the players’ lockers, and bought the one belonging to cult-hero Ino Guerrero, the batting practice pitcher who always seems to get an at-bat in the spring training college games.

It’s still 118 days until the 2011 home opener kicks off what looks to be a fun season at Fenway.  Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford will be there, and, thanks to the Opening Day Sox Pax, so will I.  But in the meantime, today’s trip to Fenway was a great way to cap off an exciting week and bring thoughts of summer to a winter day.

Earlier this week I heard about an event at Makeovers Salon and Spa in Easton, Mass.  People who purchased gift certificates on Saturday evening would have the chance to meet and get an autograph from Jason Varitek, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Jimmy Fund.  Easton’s a bit of a drive for me, but the way I figure it, I was planning on getting a haircut soon anyway, and since I recently moved I was going to have to look for a new place.  Plus, it’s far enough into the off-season that I’m starting to go into withdrawal, so any chance to see a member of the Red Sox (even one who’s technically a free agent) would help me get my fix.

So I made my way to the salon and bought my gift certificate.  We were offered wine, cheese, and hors d’oeuvres while we waited in line, and then we finally got to meet the two-time World Champion.  I brought along a picture of me with the 2004 World Series trophy which I took to Spring Training for several years to get autographs of the members of the ‘04 team.  It was cool to add Tek’s to the trophy picture, and I got to have my photo taken with him too.

I got to meet the Red Sox' Captain this weekend.

Watching “Four Days in October” is like finding the special edition version of your favorite movie. You’ve watched it countless times, memorized the lines to the point where you can recite them along with the movie, and talk about the characters as if they’re not only real but are your close personal friends. And now here it is on DVD, still containing everything you know and love about the movie, but with brand new deleted scenes to discover and commentary from the actors to fill in the back story.

That’s how I felt as I watched the latest installment in ESPN’s “30 for 30″ series. Every winter for the past five years I’ve rewatched the final four games of the 2004 ALCS. There’s not much trivia about those games that you can get past me; the scores, the pitchers, and the play-by-play are all easily recalled. But this day-by-day account of the Red Sox’ historic comeback brought a new perspective to the story I know so well, by weaving together just enough game footage to tell the full story, clubhouse antics filmed by the players themselves, and interviews with the games’ participants that made me fall in love with them all over again.

We see David Ortiz dance in the clubhouse after Game 5, shouting, “I’m the (bleeping) curse!” We see Terry Francona shoo Mike Timlin and his camcorder out of his office, telling him, “You’re going to be in the bullpen tonight, seventh inning.” (”Aw,” replies Timlin, “I thought I’d be starting Game 7.”) We hear Curt Schilling take over the intercom on the team plane and announce, “Why not us?” And we see Kevin Millar tell Dan Shaughnessy that anything can happen in a seventh game, adding, “We could even have you out there in Game 7.”

The only parts of the film that seem out of place are the scenes with Bill Simmons and Lenny Clarke. Clarke is over-the-top as usual, but I find him to be tolerable in small doses, and this movie doesn’t cross that threshold. Their scenes are set in a bar, and the pair reminisce with the same “Hey, remember that play?” feel as I would have discussing the game with my co-workers. Still, the player interviews are so humorous and insightful in their own right that they could have easily replaced the Simmons and Clarke spots.

“Four Days in October” is more than just the story of the greatest comeback in the history of sports. For Red Sox fans, it’s an entertaining and funny trip down memory lane, and it premieres at the end of a disappointing 2010 campaign when we could really use an emotional boost. It will certainly become part of my annual off-season viewing routine.