65 Days and Counting
By Brian Phair
For any die-hard Red Sox fan, the next 65 days will be the most difficult to fight through. The roster is mostly set, barring any unforeseen surprises, and besides Lowell’s thumb surgery, there are no other news stories to follow. What is an anxious Sox fan to do until February 18th when pitchers and catchers report to sunny Fort Myers, FL? Here are a few suggestions…
NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park, January 1st
Although this is a divergence from America’s favorite sport, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see outdoor hockey at Fenway Park. Regardless of your interest level in hockey, seeing an ice rink set-up on the infield of the most historic park in America is spectacular. It is worth tuning in to NBC on New Year’s day to see a baseball stadium full of rabid hockey fans. If the weather forecast is accurate, we may even see some snow falling to add an extra special touch to a unique sporting event.
Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY
Whether a casual fan or an obsessed lunatic, Cooperstown is a must see. What better time to go and spend hours in a baseball shrine than in the middle of the Winter? The Hall of Fame holds some of the most infamous Red Sox memorabilia as well as plaques from every inductee, including the most recent addition, Jim Rice. Mixed with the artifacts are multimedia presentations and clips from some of the most memorable moments in baseball history. Cooperstown is tucked away in central New York and is a fairly easy weekend road trip.
Faith Rewarded: The Historic Season of the 2004 Red Sox
For those of you who would prefer not to leave the comfort of your living room or den, any one of the DVD box sets from the 2004 World Series will be sure to melt away your winter blues. Watch Dave Roberts make history in the still-to-close-to-call steal of second base in game 4 of the American League Championship Series and witness once again the most embarrassing collapse in baseball history by the Evil Empire. Relive the ground ball back to Foulke and the toss to Mientkiewicz to break an 86 year-old curse. What’s better than re-watching the moment being a Red Sox fan changed forever?