UPDATES
12/30
UPDATE
Happy New Year everybody! Thank you all for your support throughout
this amazing year. The mere mention of the year 2004 will always bring a smile
to the face of every member of Red Sox Nation!
We will be announcing our slogan and shirts for the 2005 Red Sox season in February,
when ST starts. Special thanks to Theo and the ownership for “Tekking”
care of business.
Thanks to Lee Ostaszewski (and you thought Mientkiewicz was a tough
name) for the nice words in his year round-up column.
Click
here:
And also Dave “The Rambler” Lindberg for his revelation.
The Real Reason the Sox Won
The truth must come out. Following the 19-8 shellacking, the Rambler told the
V.O. he had had it with the Sox. “They quit on me, I’m quitting
on them. From now on I’m rooting for the Devil Rays. Low expectations
and no disappointment.” Those were my exact words. In fact, I threatened
to buy a TB hat when I returned to Fenway for Game #4. But the Rambler couldn’t
pull the trigger at Twins Souvenirs. Instead, I broke out the secret weapon.
After waking up the Red Sox gods with his Tampa Bay threat, the Rambler donned,
for the very first time, his “From Cursed to First” t-shirt. Given
to me by my friend, Bruce Fine, proprietor of www.fromcursedtofirst.com,
the Rambler had been saving it for just the right moment. Trailing the Yankees
3-0 in the ALCS seemed like the right time.
After the Game #4 win, the V.O. was under strict orders not to wash the shirt.
The Rambler wore the shirt the remainder of the ALCS and the World Series. The
shirt went 8-0, testimony to the power of the phrase. The Rambler is just thankful
it wasn’t 8 straight games in July or August. Not sure I could have taken
that!
More great “Ramblings from Section 32” at:
http://www.redsoxrambler.com/html/current_ramblings.html
In case you were wondering what the top Sports story of the year was, according
to all newspaper writers across the country, read here:
http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/sports/article.adp?id=20041229123609990001
Peace, love, and championships…
Bruce
UPDATE
11/ 22
From Cursed To First! is proud to sponsor and support The Jimmy
Fund. You can support this great organization and get this fantastic holiday
ornament now.
Limited, special edition, 24 karat gold plated, handcrafted World Championship
2004 Red Sox Ornament. All proceeds benefit the Jimmy Fund. $20.
click here
to order: www.jimmyfund.org/holiday
The Boston Red Sox are unequalled champions in the fight against cancer. For
more than 50 years, the Red Sox have teamed with the Jimmy Fund to save lives,
find cures, and dramatically change the quality of life for children and families
in New England and around the world.
The Red Sox adopted the Jimmy Fund as its official charity in 1953, and since
then, the two have established a deep bond — unlike any other in professional
sports.
Matt Fine with World Champion and Lefty specialist Mike Myers, who's rocking his Majestic "From Cursed To First!" T-shirt.
---------------------------------------------------
Also, we are pleased to announce that the "From
Cursed To First!" Song CD and bumper stickers are now available
at the Spin Street store at the
Retail Shops at The Mohegan Sun in CT.
Our complete
line of shirts, sweatshirts, hats and stickers are available to Los Angeles
area Sox fans at:
SCORECARD - the Sports Fan Store
12306 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604 818-761-0090
Alan Embree, Jerry Remy, and Kevin Millar signed the Majestic "From Cursed To First! Big Shirt" outside of Modell's. They, along with thousands of fans, helped raise money for the "Jimmy Fund". Thank you!
UPDATE
10/29
Duh-nuh-nuh, duh-nuh-nuh...
ESPN SPORTSCENTER GRAPHIC SAYS IT ALL
As Celtics announcer
Johnny Most used to shout out from the rafters of the “Gahden”,
“It’s all over. It’s all over!”
It is. Hard to believe. In less than two weeks our 2004 Red Sox officially went
“From Cursed To First!” World Champion Boston Red Sox. The Wheaties
Box, The White House, and Disneyworld will all get a visit from our beloved
“idiots”.
Doesn’t the Bankees series seem like a month ago already? If the bitter
NY fans think its hard now, wait until they are subjected to the end of the
year sports re-cap highlights that run over and over again at Christmas and
New Years. ESPN Classic is sure to show games four through seven a few thousand
times in their lifetime. Let’s not forget the wonderful graphic that will
pop up every time any team in any sport is down 0-3. “The only team to
ever come back from 0-3 and win was the 2004 Boston Red Sox against the New
York Yankees.” These guys didn’t just beat NY; they did it in a
way that will torture their team and fans mercilessly. Great job, boys. We love
you idiots so much for this!
Don’t buy this ridiculous notion from some media types that the Cardinals
choked. That’s an insult to the outstanding job the Red Sox pitching staff
did to make the Cardinals look bad. It was great pitching and timely hitting
that won it for us. Exactly what Theo and company went out and got.
The truth is, despite some rocky times during the season’s first half,
our twenty-five guys were the best team in baseball.
They believed, and they achieved. And Red Sox Nation is finally relieved.
This “relief” list was compiled by crack staff researcher
David Carabello and friends at ESPN's research department :
Top ten living former Red Sox players/managers who can sleep better now that the Red Sox have won the World Series:
10. Carl Yastrzemski - Red Sox captain made last out in 1975 WS and 1978 1-game
playoff
9. Bill Lee - throws infamous blooper pitch to Tony Perez in 6th inning of Game
7 of 1975 WS. Perez hits a 2-run HR as Reds win 4-3.
8. Mike Torrez - served up Bucky Dent's HR
7. Grady Little - blamed for leaving Pedro in too long in 2003 ALCS Game 7
6. Rich Gedman - Failed to catch Bob Stanley's wild pitch allowing tying run
to score in 10th inning of '86 WS Game 6. Many think pitch could've have been
caught by Gedman.
5. Bob Stanley - uncorked wild pitch in '86 WS (see Gedman)
4. John McNamara - made numerous questionable moves during '86 WS involving
bullpen and leaving Dave Stapleton on bench for Buckner
3. Johnny Pesky - has been blamed for 58 years, possibly unfairly, for holding
the ball on relay throw in 1946 WS.
2. Calvin Schiraldi - couldn't get final out of '86 Game 6 and losing pitcher
of Game 7
1. Bill Buckner - E-3 in Game 6 of 1986 WS
Some site
and other news:
To whomever the fan is that made this sign and got on FOX in front of 40 million
or so viewers…we cannot thank you enough!
Thanks to Darren Rovell for the article for ESPN…
Marketing 'The Curse' far from over
By Darren Rovell
ESPN.com
On the very day the Boston Red Sox acquired Keith Foulke, Bruce Fine called
a lawyer and told him he needed help trademarking a phrase.
With the arrival of the Sox closer, and Curt Schilling two weeks before, the
displaced New Englander turned West Coast comedian was confident that 2004 would
be the year the Red Sox would beat the Yankees, win the World Series and lift
the famed "Curse of the Bambino."
He was right. But, over the past few years, a cottage industry has emerged thanks
to the curse, which is linked to then-Red Sox owner Harry Frazee selling Babe
Ruth to the Yankees in 1919. And while the Red Sox winning the World Series
title on Wednesday night means that "Reverse the Curse" paraphernalia
and memorabilia will go on the discount rack, new phrases are, not surprisingly,
popping up everywhere.
Among them? "From Cursed to First," the Bruce Fine special that can
be found on hats, t-shirts and bumper stickers he started selling earlier in
the season.
"Everyone asked me, 'Don't you want them to continue to lose so that people
can continue to dream and buy your stuff?'" said Fine, a third-generation
Red Sox fan. "And I said, 'No way. I want to be a one-hit wonder.'"Fine
recently stuck a deal with Majestic Athletic, who he says will use the phrase
on officially-licensed World Series champions gear....
Also....the new Majestic shirt is getting a “little”
publicity at Modell's in Medford, Mass
And today's Lowell Sun front page....
Thank you for your
support all season...this is so wonderful and overwhelming it just might take
another 86 years to all sink in...
Bruce
UPDATE
10/26
THE MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR CONTINUES
Wednesday night, in Los Angeles, I watched the Red Sox finish off the Bankees.
Friday I flew to Boston, and this weekend I attended Games 1 and 2 of the World
Series. As much I believed that this would happen, it all still seems surreal.
I went to Game 2 with my Dad, who was at a 1967 WS game at Fenway, against the
Cardinals. The look on his face when Foulke closed it out was, as they say,
priceless.
This, reminds me of my favorite fan sign at Fenway:
World Series Tickets $1,000
Beer $50
NOT having to listen to McCarver during the game...PRICELESS
I'm guessing FOX didn't show that one.
Two down, two to go. C'mon Pedro, one last game of brilliance and you can help
us close this thing out without having to put Schill back on the mound again!
Bruce and team owner John Henry after World Series Game 1 at Fenway
Bruce and super fan on Yawkey way celebrating Sox victory
10/21
UPDATE
Check-mate…From Cursed to First becomes fate
I believed, yet I
still can’t believe it. I dreamed it many times, yet it all still seems
like a dream. I called my Dad as soon as Sierra grounded out to Pokey, at 12:01
on October 21, 2004. There was no conversation at first, just two men yelling,
“Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God.” They did it!
The lesson for you kids out there. Two hundred million dollars can’t buy
heart! No other team in baseball could do what this 2004 Red Sox team accomplished
this week. They conquered the mighty Bankees with heart, and with class. Game
six forever will be etched in my mind as the prime example of the difference
between the Red Sox and the Yankees. On one side, Curt Schilling, the horse,
with a blood-soaked sock. The poetic symbol of the blood and sweat sacrificed
for all things Red Sox. Seven strong innings to lead his team, ignoring pain.
On the other side, the best player money can buy, A-Fraud, (the ass) trying
to cheat his way on base with a bush-league move. And whining when the umps
had the gall to get the call right. Horse vs. Ass. And the horse won.
They did it. And we helped. Needing motivation, it was the fans who were the
spark. After the humiliating Game three loss, “Senor Octobre” and
the “Idiots” looked out at the stands.
“We saw a lot of fans crying and feeling hurt
and I think myself and all of my teammates, we were worried about it and kept
that for ourselves. And that's one of the big reasons for us to come to the
field and represent the way we did the last four games.”
-- ALCS MVP David Ortiz on what motivated the Red Sox, after last season's heartbreaking
loss, to win four straight games to strangle the pennant away from the Yankees.
Papi, you represented
us in ways sports fans only dream of. Thank you, gracias; we will always remember
what you did for us in 2004.
There are some things in life that seem to happen in slow motion. For me it
was my wedding, my son’s birth, the first time I did stand-up, and….Johnny
Damon’s grand slam in Game seven last night. As it happened, I jumped
up and down and pumped my fists wildly, knowing that Red Sox fans across the
nation were doing the same thing, and knowing that we had the lead we needed
to kill the curse. The game took forever after that, but worth every second.
From 0-3 to 4-3. From Cursed To First!
Some thoughts before I go watch ESPN highlights for the fifth and sixth
time:
I remember when the Sox and Bankees were playing during the season a reporter
asked Mariano Rivera about the Red Sox. He arrogantly snorted, “I don’t
worry about the Red Sox.” Last night, a reporter asked Mr. Worry-free,
“What do you think happened?” Rivera replied, “I would like
to know”, and then he put his head down and walked away. Have a nice winter,
Mo. Don’t worry about the Red Sox, especially Billy Mueller.
Two more reasons to smile: No ring for Giambi, no ring for Pay-Rod. And to think
they could have been Red Sox. Bummer, guys. Have some Anabolic Hot Chocolate
to warm you up this winter.
Redemption is the best word to describe last night. Derek Lowe, Johnny Damon,
Mark Bellhorn all got it. Bucky “F-ing” Dent threw out the first
ball last night, and then watched along with 58,000 shocked NY fans as our Red
Sox celebrated on their mound. They said Tim Wakefield stayed on that mound
a little longer than most. Like I said, REDEMPTION!
I wonder what all the NY fans will do with their “Who’s your Daddy”
T-shirts? Can you say, “Who’s your car wash rag?
One thing about Red Sox Nation that infuriates me is seeing fans wearing Garciaparra
shirts. To me, that is an insult to Orlando Cabrera, who has been outstanding
and who, by the way, is our shortstop now. It’s also an insult to the
entire team out there that Nomar turned his back on. If you see someone wearing
one, please, give them twenty bucks to buy a new shirt of a player who is ON
THE TEAM.
All I could think about during Jackie Autry’s ALCS Trophy presentation
was how that Trophy was at Fenway for two games, ready to be given to the Bankees.
Every Sox starter had a hit last night. Now that’s a team effort.
Doug Mientkiewicz is like having an extra closer on the field. He should have
“Saves” added to his stats.
Most amazing stat to me: Manny Ramirez had zero RBI in the ALCS. Wow, and we
were all over Bellhorn for five games.
In the sixth inning last night, George Steinbrenner went in his office and locked
the door. In the ninth inning last night, Timlin and Embree closed the door
on the 2004 Bankees.
Bring on the National League, four more wins!
Bruce
10/19 UPDATE
Exhausted.
Exhilarated. I don't know what to say at this point, except two down,
two to go. In forty-eight grueling hours, this team has not only rightfully
earned it's own fans back, but the respect of the Bankees and their fans.
It would have been very easy to get swept after the humiliating Game 3.
But these idiots wouldn't have it. Not in our house! No Pay-Rod
jumping into Jeter's arms at Fenway, sorry. Pack up the champagne and
the ALCS trophy and we'll see you in NY. Hey New York, by the way, you
have all been adopted and your new daddy is Papi Ortiz.
Damon and Bellhorn have been horrid, Schilling and Pedro haven't got a win yet,
and we are still alive. Tek and Trot are scuffling at the plate, Millar
and Manny have struggled, the umps have given the Bankees every big call (surprise,
surprise), Francona is still our manager, Rivera came into games four and five,
Wakefield pitched in extra innings (yikes!), and we are still two
wins away from going to the World Series!
No team has ever come back in MLB from 0-3 to win a series. Two more
wins and this team will go down in history. Why NOT them? Schilling
can redeem his Game one debacle and force a game seven. We need to get
a lead and keep it. Let's get the bats cracking, win the next two, and
watch Fox get fifteen angles of Steinbrenner simultaneously vomiting on himself
while firing people. It could be the next big Fox hit, "The Big Fat
Obnoxious Boss...2"
Brace yourselves, and for pray for Schill's brace."
From 0-3 to 4-3!
From Cursed to First!
Bruce
UPDATE 10/15
First of all, did you think this was going to be easy? The Curse of the Bambino
is eighty-six years strong, folks. And in my opinion, the Babe is extra pissed
off now because he’s not getting the respect he deserves from Red Sox
Nation. There are plenty of you, who like me, fear and respect the COTB, and
wish hard for it to end. However, the “self proclaimed” voices of
RSN such as the websites that hate on and be-little all things curse-worthy,
and the talent-less hacks who cloud the WEEI airwaves, THEY have made things
worse.
COTB, the 2004 edition: Schilling is healthy
all year, until he faces the Bankees number nine hitter, Miguel Cairo, a few
weeks ago. A little pop in the ankle, no problem. He pitches ace-like against
the Angels, and then it’s off to…oh yeah, the house that who built?!
Wow. The ankle isn’t okay anymore, just like that. No problem, we have
the best hitting line-up in the A.L…..whoa, good one, Babe. That’s
okay, Millar kills the Bankee pitching…Damn, how’d you turn him
into No-more Garcia-pop-up like that…but you can’t stop Johnny Dam…wow,
you really are out-doing yourself again, Babe. Were you mace-ing him during
those AB’s, it’s like he couldn’t even see the ball?
Wow. We’re down 0-2 and lost our ace.
There is a curse you fools. Acknowledge it. Respect it. Or it will continue
to tease, taunt, and torture us until we are watching NESN at the Shady Acres
Retirement Village.
Keeping the faith, and fantasy…
With that said, I AM OPTIMISTIC! Really. Here’s my fantasy finish; for
best reading results, hum the following song in your head first.
“Fantasy” by Earth, Wind, and Fire
Written by: Maurice White, Eddie delBarrio & Verdine White
…Come to see, victory in a land called fantasy,
loving life, for you and me, to behold, to your soul is ecstasy
You will find, other kind, that has been in search of you,
many lives has brought you to
recognize it's your life, now in review
and as you stay for the play, fantasy, has in store for you,
a glowing light will see you through
It's your day, shining day, all your dreams come true
As you glide, in your stride with the wind, as you fly away
give a smile, from your lips, and say
I am free, yes I'm free, now I'm on my way…
It’s only 0-2. Relax; the boys are back in town. Fenway Park. Repeat after
me, “It ain’t over yet!” “It ain’t over yet!”
Arroyo was our best pitcher in the A.L.DS. He is a budding star, a young stud-in-the
making, and with the Fenway faithful behind him, and the bats coming alive,
it will be a win. 2-1!
Then Sunday the pressure swings to the Bankees, if they lose its 2-2, and a
whole new series. If the Sox win, they are definitely going back to NY. Pressure
and swinging at a knuckleball is a tough combination, and just like that Wakefield
gets it all tied up. 2-2! Bankee fans now actually have to shut up.
Now it’s Game 5, and D-Lowe, last year’s Mr. October on the mound,
does it again. The sinker is nasty, Manny and Papi are giving souvenirs to the
monster seats, and the……Sox sweep! Sox sweep!
Then it’s back to NY, Pedro in Game 6, for the ultimate finish to this
soap opera from the last month. Fox shows a clip of Petey drilling the Bambino
statue in the ass with a ball during warm-ups. Fifteen times. This is actually
making Bankee fans nervous. He pitches awesome, and Francona takes him out with
a lead in the eighth or 104 pitches, whichever comes first. He has pitched like
a warrior; the Stadium is so quiet you could hear an ant fart. On the way to
the dugout, Pedro stops. He does the “Sox patented two-handed point out”
gesture to the entire crowd and screams, “Who’s your daddy now,
bitches!” Foulke pitches with Schilling warming up in the bullpen. Fox
shows fifteen different angles and close-ups of Schill’s ankle brace.
The Bankees are down to their last out. Pay-Rod is at the plate…Strike
three swinging!!! Hey New York, start spreading the news! Red Sox win! Red Sox
win! Duhhhhhhh Red Sox win!
Ding–dong the curse is dead!
Time to beat the Cardinals and go “From Cursed to First!”
Bruce
P.S. If this fantasy doesn’t work out, I still have the me, Beyonce, and
Jessica Alba thing.
UPDATE
10/11
Meet the new class….different from the old class….
This is me and my son, Gabriel. He is ten months old. He watches sports with
Daddy. He has NEVER seen the Patriots lose. He has NEVER seen the Celtics or
Bruins miss the Playoffs. He has watched the Red Sox win 98 games, beat the
Yankees 11 out of 19 times, and sweep the A.L.D.S He has NEVER seen the Red
Sox lose a Playoff game. He went to his first game in July and watched Schilling
get the win. His first words may be “Let’s Go Red Sox, or maybe
“C’mon Francona, take him out!”. He is the new class of New
England sports fan, one that will enjoy fun, winning teams, without being let
down or heartbroken. He will only hear the word dynasty when talk is of the
Patriots, and will listen in disbelief at how the great Red Sox were once a
cursed franchise.
“The Red Sox, the awesome Red Sox, Dad. Are you serious?
“Yes, Gabriel, it wasn’t always this good. My heart, and Papa’s
heart, has the scars to prove it.”
Prediction…pain
The Angels were a good team. The Sox swept them. Even though game three got
dicey, we were all collectively saying, “Take us to the next round please,
Mr. Ortiz” and it worked. Three down, eight to go. I think the Red Sox
are not only going to beat the Bankees in the A.L.C.S., they are going to finish
it in Fenway, in game 4 or 5. Enough of this “This Series is going seven”
talk from all the pundits. Sox will close it in Fenway and there won’t
be a dry eye in any RSN house. It will be pure joy and bedlam. We’re not
just going to win; we’re going to kick some ass. As I said on opening
day, the Red Sox are going “From Cursed to First!”
Bruce
UPDATE 10/5
California Dreamin’….Sox start Playoffs….magic number is now
11!
The last few weeks for Red Sox Nation have had more emotional swings than a
season of The Sopranos. Francona’s dead on impression of Grady
Gump, Pedro’s surrender words to the Bankees, the “Curt in the car”
call to WEEI, Bellhorn and Cabrera’s back-to-back walk off magic, Captain
Caveman’s constant stellar play, Manny being Manny, Lowe getting lower,
the final weekend deciding the ALDS, and now, the second season begins. And
lucky for us, we “got ourselves a gun”
(Schilling).
Congratulations to the extremely excited winner of the “From Cursed To
First!” sweepstakes, Jenna Labonte of Nashua, New Hampshire.
Walking back from Fenway in September she saw a bumper sticker with the website
address. She checked it out, signed up, and her name was pulled as the winner.
She and a guest will attend an ALDS game this weekend at Fenway. She’s
fired up.
Part of me is mad that the Cubs choked so badly and we won’t have a potential
Sox-Cubs Series. Another part of me is happy that Nomar will have to watch the
Playoffs on TV, along with his stock plummeting. Say it with me…”Cabrerahhhhhhhhh.”
Eleven more wins. We can do it. I feel deep down that Pedro will pitch his best
in October. Let’s hope that all of our guys stay healthy, perform at their
best level, and get the lucky breaks. That’s the recipe to make our
Red Sox go “From Cursed To First!”
Bruce
Baseball
Gods Reversal of Fortune?
9/9
UPDATE
Sweeeeeeeep! Angels and A’s in a week. Wow. The Sox have now won
14 of their last 15, 20 of their last 22, and 26 of their last 31. They play
like a well oiled machine. All the parts are in order, and replacements anxiously
wait in the dugout for any opportunity to fill a role. A machine with fierce
hitting, ferocious defense, speed, depth, confidence, and swagger. Man they
are fun to watch now, huh?! It’s as if April-July 24th never happened.
July 25th was the turning point. Just to remind you…7/26
Update
“And then...it happened.
Pay-Rod challenged Varitek's manhood. Big mistake, big mistake. It was just
what this team needed, and it's amazing that we may have to look back and thank
# 13 for turning our season around.”
Well, thanks, Pay-Rod. The empire is crumbling as our mouth waters. 10 1⁄2
game lead is now 2. Kevin Brown had a fight with a wall and lost. Giambi - Juice
has more medical problems than a wing at Beth Israel, they have NO STARTING
PITCHING, and if you don’t think they’re worried about the Red Sox,
read this next sentence.
Steinbrenner and Levine went on TV demanding
a forfeit from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Even their own media is disgusted with them.
Mike Lupica of the NY Daily News :
“It's not enough that they had five games scheduled with a stiff team
this week when the Red Sox are in Oakland, now they want freebies.”
Yankee fans are crapping their zebra patterned sweat pants.
So here’s where we stand:
From www.Redsox.com : On the heels of this
scintillating stretch, the Sox (84-54) are now 30 games above .500 for the first
time this season. And, for the first time since June 2, the Sox trail the Yankees
by a mere two games in the AL East. Meanwhile, Boston has stretched its lead
over the Angels to five games in the Wild Card standings.
Labor Day Weekend: Good Times…
Last weekend we were at Fenway and it was absolutely electric. The support from
the fans for FCTF has been awesome. The right field roof seats are an amazing
way to watch the game. The lucky winner of the sweepstakes
will be sitting in those seats in October!
click here for new 9/9 photo gallery
Through a mutual friend, I got a chance to go to the Sox clubhouse and
meet with Doug Mientkiewicz before the game. He’s
thrilled to be a Red Sox and I told him the fans are thrilled to have him. He
was gracious, cool, and my wife said he’s really cute. Maybe she’s
trying to get back at me for all the hot FCTF girls. ?
Red Sox Nation West:
I caught the opening Anaheim game at Sonny McLeans on
Wilshire in Santa Monica last week http://sonnymcleans.com
and the place was jamming. The Sox were cruising on some TV screens while the
Bankees were getting pummeled 22-0 on others. It was a pure celebration and
it felt like we were on Comm Ave. The fried clams (they fly 'em in every week
from Boston) were excellent. Owners Jim and Fran Connors (Co-Stars of Still
We Believe film) were in the house and Jim and I finally got a chance to meet
and chat. Good guy.
Special thanks to Rick Ballou and Paul Fredericy at Sporting
News Radio for having me on the show to talk Sox. Also 1540 The Ticket
in Los Angeles for inviting me to guest co-host the Morning Show with Roger
Lodge (Mr. “Blind Date” himself!)
Some FCTF site news:
Our 2004 anthem has become a running theme on ESPN's Sportscenter
in the last few weeks, and has been a good luck charm for the Sox.
As the story goes, we sent the "From Cursed To First!" song over to
the station on August 24th. The tune caught on around the station and a few
anchors (Van Pelt, Anderson, Frazier) started a ritual of quoting the title
and lyrics from the song during Sox highlights. The Sox won ten in a row and
14 of 15 since.
Maybe it will replace duh-nu-na, duh nu-na?
Another cool story:
This sign was seen on Route 28 down the Cape this week…
It’s catching on…Let’s Go Red Sox! “From Cursed To First!”
Bruce
In response to some emails regarding “From Cursed To First!” merchandise
besides the website, we wanted to let you know the “FCTF” song CD
is available at most Newbury Comics locations, www.newburycomics.com.
We are still trying to get the clothing into stores near you, and will keep you posted on future updates. RSN in the Los Angeles area can find it at :
SCORECARD, the Sports Fan Store
12306 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604 818-761-0090
UPDATE 8/27
Here is another opinion on the Rail Garciaparra trade. That’s right, Rail.
You see, just like Ramon spelled backwards is Nomar, Liar spelled backwards
is Rail. And that’s the name he has earned. When you lie to your teammates
and to your fans, you are a disgrace. You put a damper on all the good that
you once were. You have become Fredo, Pete Rose, or…Rail. Goodbye Rail,
enjoy the view from the Cubs bench as you watch the Boston Red Sox win the World
Series!
Now for the more positive stuff! Down the stretch we come. It’s amazing,
but this team has completely transformed into the loose, focused, winning machine
we expected to see in 2004. 17-7 in August, and clicking on all cylinders. Cabrera
and Minky have given us the solid defense that we’ve been missing all
year. Mike Timlin has showed what he’s made of this week, and I feel D-Lowe
coming on strong just in time. Foulke is still closing the door. Johnny Damon
has been setting the table and starting rallies consistently, Manny and Papi
have become the bash brothers, and Varitek found his good wood. Add a still
hot Millar, a solid as ever Mueller, and some good starting pitching, and you
get a wildcard lead and an “only five and a half games back” shot
at the division.
As for the Yankees, they’re having problems. This is from last night’s
New York Post:
“Alex Rodriguez's troubles hitting with runners in scoring position continued.
He went 0-for-3 and hit into a double play that vacuumed the life out of a possible
big seventh inning. A-Rod, who has four hits in the last 27 at-bats in the clutch
(.148), is hitting .200 (23-for-115) with runners in scoring position.”
As they say on Jeopardy, “I’ll take Manny for 200, Alex!
I’m pumped and jacked because I’m going to Fenway on Labor Day weekend
to catch the series against the Rangers. The “From Cursed To First!”
Girls will also be there giving away cool stuff. Speaking of giveaways, don’t
forget that we are giving away a pair of Playoff tickets at Fenway as soon as
the clinch is in. Check the site 48 hours after clinch for sweepstakes winner
announcement.
There’s a great new weekly show for RSN available through the Red Sox.com
site. It’s called “state of the nation @ redsox.com” and it’s
ably hosted by Casey Stern, an ESPN Dream Job finalist. Click here for the most
recent edition: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/bos/video/stateofthenation.jsp
This months RSN Tee-shirt model is Kenny Ames, of Washington, who sent us this
from the “Sox-Yanks” weekend series.
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Thirty-five games to go, six with the Bankees. Let’s go Red Sox! From
Cursed To First!
Bruce
7/26
UPDATE
Did somebody order an "Egg - Mitt - muffin!"
"IT'S NOT WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE, IT'S HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME."
This old adage is exactly why Red Sox Nation should be excited again.
(For the first time since April) It's not just that we won the Bankees
series. It's HOW we did it. Friday night we had our ace, Schill,
undefeated at home, going against Lieber, their number four starter. And
we had a 4-1 lead...and lost. That was a sleepless night for me, as I'm
sure it was for you reading this, and for the Red Sox. Then we're down
3-0 early Saturday, and we all collectively got that, "Oh my God the season's
over" pit in our stomach.
And then...it happened.
Pay-Rod challenged Varitek's manhood. Big mistake, big mistake.
It was just what this team needed, and it's amazing that we may have to look
back and thank # 13 for turning our season around.
Coming back from 9-4 and the knockout punch by "Yankee Killer Billy Mueller"
was a feeling we have long been waiting for. Watching Rivera and the Spankees
walk off the field as the Sox jumped around like the Saugus Little League team
was, in a word, awesome!
Sunday night the game had a different feel. In the second inning,
the ump called what looked like a two run double down the line by Damon...foul.
Captain Caveman shook it off, and said, "Let me smash this one off the
Pesky Pole so you don't miss this call chumpire! Bam, Sox were up for
good. Even though Timlin made life difficult, Foulke closed the door shut.
Goodnight Bankees, sleep tight, see you in September. (when that cushy
7 1/2 game lead might be gone. Sep 17-19th, mark your books)
Millar had a months worth of offense, Arroyo looked good, Gidget settled down
on the mound, and all of a sudden things are looking up. The 2004 Red
Sox are not dead, they are just coming alive. The fight is what was
needed, so we can thank Pay-Rod for yapping and challenging Variteks's
manhood...big mistake, big mistake. Red Sox Nation can smile, because
this weekend our guys finally played the game like it meant something to them.
And it's how you play the game that counts.
Bruce
UPDATE 7/15/04
A little update about the first sweepstakes tickets. We never
heard back from the first name we pulled. So we pulled another, sent them an
email, and again, nothing. It shouldn’t be this hard to give away Sox-Yankees
tickets, right? Well the third time was the charm, and it’s really a nice
story. The third name pulled is Chris Rucci,
from Millbury, Massachusetts. He returned our email immediately,
which is impressive because he’s in the U.S. Army and currently stationed
in S. Korea. Chris is sending his parents, Chris Sr. and Betty Rucci, to the
game on July 25th. They’re lifelong fans and this will be their first
Red Sox –Yankees game at Fenway. How cool is that!? A fairy-tale ending
after all. Sweet enough to make me forget about the bad performance in game
one of the second half. Good thing we have Pedro manana to turn it around quick.
In response to some emails regarding “From Cursed To First!” merchandise
besides the website, we wanted to let you know the “FCTF” song CD
is available at most Newbury Comics locations, www.newburycomics.com.
We are still trying to get the clothing into stores near you, and will keep you posted on future updates. RSN in the Los Angeles area can find it at :
SCORECARD, the Sports Fan Store
12306 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604 818-761-0090
Ten of us are going to Anaheim Sunday. Hopefully it's a Schilling killing. It’s
put up or shut up now for our Red Sox. Keep the faith!
Bruce
UPDATE 7/5
Well, it’s been a wild couple of weeks, and even David
Ortiz is now aware of what we’re up against.
``The Bambino's kicking our ass right now, but we're going to get that ass back,''
first baseman David Ortiz said.
In the spirit of keeping a sense of balance through these rocky times in RSN,
let’s go with a “good news, bad news” post.
* First, the good news:
Congratulations to Ashley Carbino, the winner of the first “FCTF”
sweepstakes tickets. Ashley was the lucky name pulled for the two tickets to
Sox –Yankees on July 25th at Fenway. The next prize is for playoff tickets,
so all entries are still eligible for that pull when it happens. ? Keep the
faith, it’s only July 4th! There are 82 games left, which is plenty of
time to start playing better, and time enough to make the Playoffs. Look how
the Marlins turned it around last year. (Oh yeah, they fired their manager.
Read “bad news” for more on that topic) Okay, we haven’t played
even close to our potential, and we’re still only a few games out of the
wildcard. We would prefer to win the AL East, but let’s just get there,
have a healthy Schill and Pedro, and take on all comers. If it’s destined
that we play the Bankees in the ALCS again, then so be it. What better way to
go “From Cursed To First” than that? This picture was sent to us
from the daughter of a lifelong fan who displayed his faith
“It’s only July, kids, relax!”
proudly at Fenway last week.
Way to go, Mr. G!
"We just have to win, period," Alan Embree said. "It
doesn't matter who we're playing. We've gotten ourselves in a situation where
we're playing below .500 and we're not a below-.500 club. We should be winning
a lot more than we're losing. It's time to start doing it."
Well, like the Black Eyed Peas sing, “Let’s get it started, let’s
get it started!”
Special kudos to the Comcast CN8 “Sports Pulse” crew and Ed Berliner
for their fantastic video montage put to the “From Cursed To First”
song. Also want to mention Del Jones of the Quincy Ledger and www.bostonsportsforum.org,
check it out.
* Now, the bad news (Bears) -
One step forward, two steps back. It's July, but same (getting) old story. The
underachievers fall victim to a manager who has NO CLUE when his mentally destroyed
pitcher, Derek Blowe, is toast. How many times have we seen this movie? How
can we expect our manager to figure out the other guys when he still hasn’t
figured out his own players! At least Francona's consistent about one thing,
doing the wrong thing. He pulls Wakefield too early, probably costing us crucial
game against Yanks. Next two days he mis-manages both extra -innings games (NY-ATL)
and then leaves B-Lowe in wayyyy too long. A day after Schilling goes nine AND
there's a day off tomorrow. How much rest does the bullpen need!?
I gave Francona a chance. And another chance. And…I’m tired of giving
chances to this guy. And I’m not alone…
Lenny Megliola (a legendary sports columnist) from the MetroWest News:
…”There have been complaints about the manager, which in this town
is a sport unto itself. Back in Associated Pressril a Philadelphia talk show
guy told me Terry Francona was a terrible manager beyond belief. He warned me
that Red Sox fans would be demanding Francona's firing by June 1. He was only
3 1/2 weeks off.”…
Are you wondering how NY feels after the Sox failed to gain much ground as they
got swept by the Mets?
This is from Mike Vaccarro of the New York Post:
…”The Yankees? They weren't happy to feel the business end of the
Mets' broom, but they hardly bore the look of a team entering a free fall. While
they were losing three to their inter-borough rivals, the Red Sox were dropping
two of three to the Braves, failing to pounce on the Yankees' missteps, meekly
accepting their fate as AL East also-rans.”…
Can they post this in the Red Sox locker room to fire them up?
Overall, Theo Epstein has done a good job, but he greatly mis-calculated on
Millar, Crespo, Kim, and Francona. Two are gone, and two more need to go in
order to right this 2004 ship.
Does anyone have Bob Brenley's phone number?!
While on the topic of manager replacements, I will submit two other recommendations.
Two guys that have seen a lot of baseball, have the respect of the players,
and the fiery personality (Pinella-ish) to motivate…Whitey Herzog and
Kevin Kennedy.
As Dave the www.redsoxrambler.com
always says, “Keep your Sox on!”
Bruce
UPDATE
5/26
RED SOX 9 OAKLAND 6
--- that's five in a row on this homestand...
Well, Bankee fans can't say "It's only April" anymore. And "It's only
May" won't work much longer. How about, "It's almost June, the
Sox are still without two All-Stars, and are still in first! This
team is starting to show the heart and soul needed for a championship
season. They survived some bad skids already and got back on track.
Nomar out, Pokey steps up. Bats quiet, bullpen shines. Lowe struggles,
Arroyo impresses. Mueller out, Youkilis steps in with a bang. The
annihilation of Oakland on Tuesday is just a taste of what can happen when this
potent lineup starts to pop. Let's keep rolling Red Sox, the nation is
ready for a June bust-out.
Kenny Ames, a diehard RSN member, works for a Massachusetts Senator
in Washington. He found us on the web and interviewed me for his "Offsides
and Out of Bounds" column from hillzoo.com. It's posted on our
updates page. We also want to thank the
http://www.redsoxrambler.com for his kind mentions. Dave's ramblings
from Section 32 at Fenway are great. We received kudos on the FCTF song from
Shelley, who runs www.Johnnydamon.com, and
we hope to see Johnny Da-Man wearing a FCTF shirt to go with that clean
shaven look!
I will be coming home this weekend (I love that dirty watahhhhhhh, ohhhh,
Boston you're my home!) and I have an exciting schedule lined up.
Thursday night I'll be a guest on Comcast CN8's "Sports Pulse" show
with Ed Berliner. Friday night I'm headlining the Comedy Cabaret
at the Mohegan Sun Casino. Then Sunday I'll be at Fenway with the "FCTF
girls". I'm hoping I can bring the California weather with me, as
I've been told of the current chill. Then I follow the Sox back to Cali
and will be with the "FCTF girls" at Anaheim
(6/1-6/2) as the Sox go at it with the AL's best in the west. Have a great
Memorial Day weekend.
Peace, laughter, and let's go Red Sox!
Bruce
5/17/04
OFFSIDES AND OUT OF BOUNDS
by Kenny Ames
Featured Columnist on www.hillzoo.com
Hillzoo.com has been great about providing me with this space which has nicely
served as a forum for me to vent about a variety of topics. And while
I have utilized this opportunity to express my undying love for my beloved Red
Sox – sort of cheap therapy for me – I want my readers to know that
I try not to write about them too often. But when I ran across Bruce Fine,
a Red Sox fan living away from the heart of Red Sox Nation, I couldn’t
pass up the opportunity to interview him about his new website devoted to willing
a championship to Boston . From Cursed to First (www.fromcursedtofirst.com)
is Bruce’s brainchild. Already, the From Cursed to First theme song
is playing on Boston radio stations, and he answers my questions about his new
site.
KA: How did you get the idea for the site?
BF: I wanted to personally do something that could possibly rally a pessimistic
group of fans to be more positive. We have all been taunted by Yankee fans about
the Curse. I wanted to say, yeah, you're right; we ARE cursed, but no
more! Last year was rock bottom, and we will rise up as a Nation and destroy
it. That was a final test of our faith. I trademarked the "From
Cursed to First" slogan. Then I wrote a song. It was all for
personal therapy at first. Then I designed a shirt. Then my brothers
and some friends said this is cool, let’s start a website, and...
KA: How long have you had the site?
BF: We opened up, purposely, on Opening Day week.
KA: What does your site offer?
BF: We have a free sweepstakes to win Sox-Yankees tickets and October tickets
at Fenway! There are a few pages of funny and inspirational reading for
the fans. There is a sample of the "FCTF" song, which is available
along with other curse-killing merchandise. Hats, shirts, tanks, sweatshirts,
bumper stickers, whatever you want it's a click away. But, for me, it’s
not about making money. It’s about giving the fans a way to push
the Sox over the edge and bring that well-deserved championship home where it
belongs.
KA: You’re giving away Sox-Yankees tickets – how do I sign up?
How’d you manage to get those tickets and how are you able to part with
them?
BF: I have family with season tickets and begged them. They have a lot
of good tickets, and they were willing to part with them for the website.
On July 4, I’m going to pull the winner out of a Red Sox cap. Fenway
Park is the best place to be, and it’s even better when the Yanks are
in town.
KA: How many hits does your site get a day?
BF: We got 100 hits per day our first month (April).
KA: What's the deal with the Cursed to First Girls? How'd you recruit
them?
BF: Well, here's the deal. It's the Curse of the Bambino. And Babe
Ruth LOVED the ladies. I read that's one of the reasons the owner wanted
to trade him (too much carousing!) So we are using some of Boston finest ladies
to help kill the curse. Hopefully they are seducing any remnants of that
fat bastard's spirit so we can kill him off for good. The girls have been
really fun, and they love the Red Sox! I asked one girl to help, and then
she told 2 friends, and she told 2 friends...it was like that old shampoo commercial.
KA: Okay, seriously, do you really believe in the Curse? Isn’t that
just something Dan Shaughnessy invented that’s grown into a ghost story?
Don’t only non-Red Sox fans believe in the so-called Curse?
That has been said and I have to admit until last year, I too, scoffed –
absolutely scoffed – at this curse stuff. But the more I investigated
and learned about the team’s history, stuff like that guy tripping in
’73 in a clutch game, and learning about the weird things that happen
to this team, injuries, bad managers, new and creative ways to lose, especially
to the Yankees, painful playoff losses, the infamous missed tags by the ump
in ’99 – he knew he blew two games and he went on ESPN and apologized!
I mean, when does that happen in sports? Being a sports fan, you have
to say, how does this keep happening? Last year, every Sox fan was sitting
on the edge of their seat thinking we can’t blow this – and the
manager gave the Yankees the chance they needed – Williamson and Timlin
were ready – and the Yankees get every break! But, now I think there
is The Curse and to end it, you need positive energy from everybody, so admitting
it exists will help to end it. 25,000 different things have happened to
the same team – it’s time to end it.
KA: What other Red Sox sites do you visit?
BF: I love the blog by Eric Wilbur on boston.com. I have also been a Bill
Simmons follower since he was the BSG (Boston Sports Guy). I read the
Globe and Herald every day. The bostonsportsmedia.com site is very good.
I'm a member of the Yahoo chat board, nice bunch of people. For the most
part, people are really supportive of efforts to support the Red Sox, so there’s
a whole community out there that supports each other. But, I want to give
a special mention to Shelly, who runs Johnny Damon’s website (www.johnnydamon.com),
because she does an outstanding job and runs a quality site. She really
has helped welcome From Cursed To First to the growing community of Red Sox
websites.
KA: Okay, as a fan, rank your top five Red Sox memories.
BF: 1) Sox clinching wildcard, celebrating with fans 2003. 2) Pedro coming
in from 'pen in '99 in Cleveland, Game 5 ALDS, and closing the door shut. 3)
Clemens getting knocked out of game early in game 3 of '99 ALCS, and the chants
later of "Where is Ro-ger? Followed by "In the show-er!" 4) Being
at Game 5 of the ‘86 World Series with my whole family...Bruce Hurst won,
and we chanted "Darr-el, Darr-el, all night at Strawberry...it actually
frazzled him enough to make errors… although retrospectively he may have
been coked up! 5) Pedro striking out 5 out of 6 in All-Star Game in '99 (including
Sosa and McGuire) ...and this was preceded by Teddy Ballgame being wheeled out
to greet all the players in pre-game.
KA: And rank your lowest five Red Sox memories.
BF: 1) Pedro's remarks a week ago that took all the air out of our balloon for
a week. And reminded us how selfish and spoiled our athletic heroes can
be. 2) Yankees winning that Game 3 at Fenway last year in ALCS. I was
there with my Dad . Birdseye view of the Zimmer/Pedro tussle. We
should have won that game, had Clemens on the ropes and let him off the hook.
I remember every inning was painful. We should have won that game and
we would have won the Series in 5 or 6! 3) I was also at the game when Bryce
Florie took a line drive in the eye. You could hear the crack of his skull,
and him crying on the ground. Fenway was never that quiet before. 4) When
they traded Fisk, Burleson, and Lynn (the heart and soul of the team) I was
a crushed twelve -year-old. 5) Grady wouldn't pull Pedro! Game 7 2003 ALCS.
Still amazingly hard to believe when I think about it. Cost one idiot
a job of a lifetime and millions of RSN more heartache.
KA: How often do you replay that eighth inning in your mind? Is the pain
starting to subside?
No, I can’t watch it. I get physically ill. It’s worse
than 86. Everything was perfect – Pedro beating Clemens in Yankee
stadium overcoming everything and we finally had the upper hand on them and
their fans. I still get sick, but winning it all this year will make it
all better.
KA: What brought you to California and how do you follow the Red Sox?
BF: After graduating with a business degree from B.U. in 1988, I came out to
L.A. to pursue a comedy and acting career. I hit the stand-up open
mic circuit...and waited tables, for three years. Then I got a few breaks
and I haven't looked back. I still do stand-up and act a little, but I've
been making a living as a writer and producer the last five years or so. It's
been a wonderful journey. Around 5 years ago I started to find some bars
that had the games, then three years ago I got a dish and now I get the baseball
package and catch 'em all at home. I make 3 or 4 trips to Boston and Fenway
during the season. My brothers have season tickets.
KA: Who is your favorite Red Sox active player?
BF: I equally love all 25 men on our roster. But if I had to pick one,
it seems that Trot Nixon was born to be a Red Sox player. He always gives
his blood and guts out there. And he's so clutch.
KA: Who is your favorite Red Sox "cradle to grave" player?
A. Dewey, but overall, I’d go with Carlton Fisk.
KA: Let’s play GM. You’re Theo. What do you do about
re-signing the Big Four? What parts do you pick up to make a run for it
this year?
BF: It’s tough to be Theo, because as fans, we make emotional decisions.
They are running a business, and as a business man, I understand what players
think they are worth, not worth, and there is plenty of good young talent out
there to groom. A good example is the Practice on ABC, because everyone
was making so much money, and ABC said goodbye to 4-5 stars.
KA: But didn’t the Practice go off the air this year?
BF: Well, maybe it was on their last legs, but they probably saved themselves
some money.
KA: Fair enough. Who is your favorite non Red Sox player?
BF: David Eckstein. SS for the Angels and former Sox farmhand. He's
a little guy who nobody ever thought would make it. And now he has a World Series
ring, and was a big part of that team's success.
KA: Have you ever dated a Yankees fan? If so, what was that like?
BF: I don't remember any in my past. My wife, however, is from Jersey
and her whole family is Yankee fans. She's a Red Sox fan now, and we're
raising our 5 month-old son as one.
KA: How do you get along with your Yankee-loving in-laws? Have any good
stories to share about incidents over Thanksgiving turkey?
BF: We pretty much try to stay away from baseball talk.
KA: Do they want their grandson to be a Yankee fan?
BF: They know that he’s my son and blood takes precedent.
KA: What position did you play in Little League?
BF: Second base, lead off hitter. I was like 4 feet tall. I walked a lot.
KA: When you pretended you were a professional player, which player did you
pretend to be?
BF: Yaz.
KA: Are players aware of your site?
BF: I think someone told Nomar about the site. I know that Damon’s
website person, Shelly, is really helpful, so he may have heard about it. We
do have players that might get in contact with me after All-Star Break.
KA: Do you have any superstitions?
BF: When I'm really desperate, I put the volume number on the TV up to 33, Larry
Bird's number, because he always came through.
KA: Anything you do ritually that helps the Sox or you try not to do because
it hurts the Sox?
BF: I started this whole "From Cursed to First!" thing to help this
year's team. It's more than a ritual; it's a part -time job!
KA: Have you ever killed or injured a Yankees fan? Why did they deserve
it?
BF: Actually, I have had many "heated" discussions with some amazingly
arrogant Yankee fans over the years. One time, at an airport, my brothers
had to physically pull me away from a guy I was going to try and pummel.
Okay, it was more than one time!
KA: What are your goals for the site?
BF: The truth is we would love for the fans to embrace this and have fun with
it. That's all. We know from the emails we get from people that
they love the song. We have had orders for the shirts from all over the
country. It seems that RSN is more passionate away from the Boston area.
We can't wait to give away the tickets. Imagine getting an email, "You
won the sweepstakes, you are going to Sox-Yankees at Fenway!"
The response has been great, and all from word of mouth. We know that
after the All-Star break and rolling into July we will get more and more people
believing. By
September and the Playoffs we want the Yankee fans to see a sea of "From
Cursed to First!" shirts. One guy who bought a shirt already actually
said he won't wear it until July. We must be the most superstitious fans
ever! I've worn mine since opening day, and every time I'm out wearing
a hat or shirt people comment on it. They'll say, "We know about
the curse, we're rooting for you guys!" It's crazy.
KA: I’ve heard that you are a stand-up comic. How would I catch
your act if I were in LA?
BF: My website has all upcoming dates posted...it's www.brucefine.com
There are also some free clips to listen to. Right now, I’m working
for the Wayans brothers, writing material for them to use on Stern and Letterman.
Even on a bad day can say, “I’m working for the Wayans and loving
it. And I’m raising my son a Red Sox fan.”
KA: Have any stores picked up on your merchandise yet?
BF: Yes. Sox fans in the Boston area can get the "From Cursed to
First" CD at Newbury Comics stores now. We're working on getting
the apparel into stores; we'll have updates on the site. There's a great
Sports Fan store on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City , CA called “Scorecard.”
They are carrying "FCTF" T-shirts and hats.
KA: Last word?
BF: I’m really excited for Nomar and Nixon to come back. Right now,
we’re playing PawSox guys – the other day one-third of the starting
nine were playing in the minors last year (Arroyo, Crespo, and Youkilis) When
Nomar and Nixon come back, they’ll make huge contributions that will put
us over the top. I mean, we are where we are without our full arsenal.
Every now and again, they worry me briefly, like every game the last 10 days.
Hopefully the big inning the other night is a turning point. But, I love
being a Red Sox fan. We are the most superstitious fans in baseball, but
it’s great! We love rooting for the Sox and don’t want to
jinx anything, but when we win, it’s okay to then jump up and down.
I really believe that if Sox fans focus on positive and leave the negativity,
then it would make it happen.
Oh, and also, the site will be having a Father’s Day sale – so that’s
coming up. Because chances are if you're a Red Sox fan you inherited it
from your father. And dads are always tough to shop for, so here's something
he'll love to wear. It's better than a tie or a bottle of Aqua Velva.
Thanks, Bruce for the interview. Hopefully, when I get up to Boston ,
we can connect. And let’s go Sox!
UPDATE 5/7
You're not the only one smiling Pedro.
That's two "Phewwwws" in two days for Red Sox Nation. First
the win to break the 5 game skid (thank you Mr. Ortiz for carrying eight men
on your back), and then the "Pedro" game. After three batters,
I'll admit I wanted to pull an "Elvis" on my TV. But then, something
happened. Pedro looked like, well, Pedro. He got it done for
7 innings and change, and that's all we need. You see, as the song goes,
"We got Williamson, Foulke, and Embree to close the door shut."
Now Pedro, please keep your mouth shut and your pitching arsenal open!
I will go on record now and say that this team will not lose five in a row THE
REST OF THE SEASON! It was an aberration, and I'd actually be surprised
if we lose three in a row again. It was an early test, but we never
left first place. Imagine how the Bankee fans feel, they won seven
out of their last eight and still sit a game behind us. And as far as
the A's go, when did they become the Expos!
The "From Cursed To First!" Girls will be back in action outside
of Fenway this month. We're about eight weeks away from announcing our
first sweepstakes winner: two tickets to Sox-Yanks July 25th @ Fenway!
Thank you to a few other radio stations that have been playing our "FCTF"
song:
Al Bernstein on ESPN radio
Randy Kerdoon on KNX sports in L.A.
WMAS in Springfield, MA
The Stern wannabes "Don and Mike
show" out of D.C.
And thanks to all of you who believe in "From Cursed To First!"
The Red Sox have been in first for a few weeks now, already more than they've
historically been in the past. Many fans pessimistic attitude gets in
their way of enjoyment. These are the same people who will be wearing
a "From Cursed To First!" shirt in September. We want to tip
our caps to the true believers who are wearing them now. Peace, and let's
wake up the bats and sweep the Royals at home this weekend!
*New Store*
Attention Red Sox Nation in San Fernando Valley area of California..
SCORECARD, the Sports Fan Store
is now carrying "From Cursed To First!" merchandise.
12306 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604
818-761-0090
Red Sox Sweep in Yankee Stadium
4/23 - 4/25
Wow. April is feeling different this year, isn't it? Winning back
to back series against the hated ones from New York is so sweet. And a
little spring cleaning in the house that you know who built! Sweeeeeeep!!! If
that isn't a sign for the season than I don't know what to tell ya. And winning
with pitching! I know a lot of you are still leery because it's a long
season, but we are going to add three All-Stars to this line-up soon.
Nomah, Trot, and Kim will only make us deeper and better. This is the
team, baby. Don't be negative or afraid. Rejoice. This is not your father's
Red Sox!
We want to thank all of those in Boston that made our April 16-19th trip special.
The "From Cursed to First Girls" were a big hit click
here for photo gallery and will continue to be a part of our team.
We received some fantastic press. (scroll down)
update 04_01_04
We
are now filling orders to get you geared up in time for the first rumble of
2004 against the Bankees,
April 16-19...also...
If you're going to Fenway for the weekend series against the
Bankees, April 16-19, say hi to the "From Cursed
To First! Girls ™".
They won't be hard to miss and they'll be roaming the streets outside the park
giving away free stuff!
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