Thank You Thommies

I just wanted to thank everyone that helped make Monday night special for Jerry, Professor Thom's, and all of the baseball fans in attendance.

It was a night long overdue for a legend of Red Sox Nation right here in New York City.

Fitzy went above and beyond the call of duty as MC for the entire night. Sandy Jordan and Randy Ingram put together a terrific Jazz show. And the mighty Quinn put in some overtime in setting up the items for auction.

We are also much obliged to Andrea and Kim and everyone that helped sell tickets at the door. And, of course everyone that donated so many great things: The Aardsma family, Fred Lynn, the Red Sox, Larry Lucchino, Pat Casale, Joe Cosgriff, the BLOHARDS, ESPN Magazine, Sandy Jordan, Joe Desmond, Joe Castiglione, Dave Lipman, Supahfans, Tavern on Jane, Brett Rapkin, Bombo films, Doug Lipp, Bill Nowlin, Harpoon Brewery, Jere Smith, Boston Latin School, Jim Calhoun, and everyone else that pitched in.

Check out all of the photos Manager Matt took on Flickr. Feel free to add your own.

As a special reward for your generosity I put a few new films on YouTube. Click on the link to the page above or check out the most recent here. And, as an extra special bonus, I convinced the Yankees to sign Richie Sexson. No need to thank me; you deserved it.

The Sox are back on Tonight after what was hardly an All-Star break. The Olde Towne team dominated headlines in New York all week, dominated the roster of the American League team, and even took home MVP. Not too shabby for a vacation. Come see them defend first place this weekend against the Angles.

Thursday Night Movies at Thom's

Look for movie nights at Thom's in the very near future. We'll be screening "Blessed! Still We Believe 2" which was shot at Thom's, "Rooters: The Birth of the Red Sox Nation", and "Crazy Legs Conti: Zen and The Art of Competitive Eating".

WANTED in connection with extreme flattery, whoever is responsible for sending Fred Lynn down to Thom's on Saturday night. Free drinks await you! Lynn amused Sox fans with tales of the 70's and the real difference between home and road uniforms.

Support a Local Legend

Welcome to The event of All-Star Week, "An Eventing for Jerry Casale"

Tonight at 7:00 pm baseball fans will gather at Professor Thom's to honor former Sox Hurler Jerry Casale. The night will be hosted by Paul "Fitzy" Fitzgerald and will feature music by Sandy Jordan and Randy Ingram and hopefully a few surprise guests.

There has been an overwhelming amount of generosity in support of this event (even Castiglione has been mentioning it during Sox broacasts) and I would just like to thank everyone that has helped by either donating their time, talent, or items to be raffled and auctioned.
And, speaking of items, below is a list of everything we have so far. Some of them will be available for raffle, tickets for which will cost $20 for 5. The other items will be available by silent auction. There will be a suggested donation of $20 at the door which includes 5 raffle tickets and one drink.

Brooklyn native Jerry Casale pitched for 5 years in the Major League Baseball having had his most successful year for the Red Sox in 1959 winning 13 games. After baseball, Jerry opened Pino's, a small Italian eatery in midtown Manhattan where an entire wall inside the restaurant was made into a mural of Fenway Park and the Green Monster. Pino's became the place to be for Sox fans either exiled or just visiting enemy territory. Jerry would entertain all patrons with his stories of playing for the Sox and would even play the radio call of his homerun against the Yankees in Fenway Park. In many ways Pino's paved the way for the now rabid following of Sox fans in New York City and the many bars and groups that now serve as their beloved sanctuaries.

Sadly, Jerry recently suffered a stroke. We have learned that due to a lack of sufficient health insurance coverage, Jerry is having great difficulty affording proper medical care. On Monday, July 14, baseball fans in New York City will gather for one special night to honor Jerry for his contributions to Red Sox Nation and what he means to our community, and raise money to help him cover some of his medical expenses.

Some of the items available so far:

• A sketch of Ted Williams signed by Ted Williams.
• A plaque of Ted Williams signed by Ted Williams.
• A bat signed by Carlos Delgado.
• A Jersey signed by David Aarsdma.
• A ball signed by Fred Lynn at Professor Thom's.
• A $200 gift vertificate to Capital Grille.
• A collection of three Red Sox books donated by Bill Nowlin.
• 3 DVDs donated by Bombo including: "Still We Beleive", "Still We Believe 2", and "New England Hockey: Life at the Rink".
• Assorted autographed items from Joe Klecko incuding a football, photos, and a jersey.
• Two Sox tix: Section 86 RF box seats for Sunday, Aug. 17th vs. Toronto.
• A trip to Harpoon Brewery's BBQ event on July 26, 27 in Vermont including a package is for two people, one night stay (7/26) Passes to get in for Saturday 7/26 and Sunday 7/27, meal tickets for 2 and 3 beer tickets per person per day.
• Many great items from Boston Latin School including sweatshirt, mugs, golf gloves, etc.
• Mike Lowell autographed bat.
• Josh Beckett autographed baseball.
• Tavern on Jane: Dinner for 4 up to $200.
• An autographed poster of Jerry Casale's rookie card.

Excerpt from June 20, 1956, page 25 The Sporting News:

"While Casale is no hitter-for-an-average as a pitcher, he occasionally gets hold of a ball and all but knocks the coveroff it. A 551-foot homer over the center field wall at Seals Stadium recently was the fifth-longest clout on record in the 24-year history of the park."

More Thom's Foolery
WANTED in connection with extreme flattery, whoever is responsible for sending Fred Lynn down to Thom's on Saturday night. Free drinks await you! Lynn amused Sox fans with tales of the 70's and the real difference between home and road uniforms.

A bottle of reds, a bottle of whites

Whatever kind of mood you're in tonight

I'll meet you anytime you want

In our Italian Restaurant.

-William Martin Joel

The Super Duper Happy Fun Show at Professor Thom's

I miss the Esplanade on the Fourth. After a day of riding mangy ponies and losing foot races to kids who lied about their age at the VFW picnic at Smith's Field in Allston. We'd walk down to the Esplanade to watch the fireworks, listen to Arthur Fiedler conduct the Pops on a little radio, and get yelled at for twirling a glowstick-"Put that god-damned thing down! It'll break open and burn your skin!"-in that order. Fiedler's long gone, and I'm a long way from the Hatch Shell, but I can twirl a glowstick to my heart's content.

Tonight, the number one rated morning show in all of Japan will be broadcasting live from Professor Thom's on NHK. So, if you're not going to the Bronx (and, why would you) please get to the bar early for the two segments at 5:30 and 7. BANZAI!

July 14 Benefit for Jerry Casale

The Evening for Jerry Casale is coming together nicely. So far Boston Latin School has donated a couple boxes of great stuff, Harpoon Brewery is putting together a vacation package to their BBQ event in Vermont (Speaking of which, there are plenty of free passes at the bar.), and the Red Sox have donated a ball signed by Josh Beckett and a bat signed by Mike Lowell! So far so good, right? If you have something you want to add to the night let me know. Also, if you'd like to contribute in another way, like performing or volunteering, drop me a line.

If you're interested in any of the items, you have to show up July 14 to win them.

VOTE VOTE VOTE

The most talented Thommie, John Pizzarelli is competing in ESPN's "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" contest. Vote early and often and get one our own the win.


EAT EAT EAT

The biggest baddest eater at PT's is "Crazy Legs" Conti. We'll be rooting for him Friday the 4th as he competes for the Yellow Mustard Belt at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. The contest kicks off at noon on Friday and finishes just before the start of the Sox game at 1pm.

And the smell of the smoke and the lay of the land

And the feeling of finding ones heart in ones hand

And the tiny tin voice of the radio band singing

Love must stand

Love forever and ever must stand

All on the fourth of july

On the fourth of july

-James Taylor

Oh When the Sox...

Here they come again, mmmm-mm-mm. Catch us if you can, mmmm-mm-mm.

Next week the Sox come to town to play 4 games against the third place New York Yankees and with them come the cameras.

NHK (Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai) will be broadcasting LIVE Thursday, July 3 on the most popular morning show in Japan. If you want all of your family and friends back in Japan to see you on TV try to get to the bar early. They'll be shooting at 5:30 and 7:30. There's something about this rivalry that brings out the media.

And, speaking of the rivalry, no one enjoyed beating the Yankees more than Red Sox pitcher and Brooklyn native Jerry Casale. He slugged one of the longest homeruns ever hit at Yankee Stadium and to this day has the Phil Rizzuto play-by-play of the at-bat.

We'll be honoring Jerry at Professor Thom's on July 14 and everyone is invited. After baseball, Jerry opened Pino's, a small Italian eatery in midtown Manhattan where an entire wall inside the restaurant was made into a mural of Fenway Park and the Green Monster. Pino's became the place to be for Sox fans either exiled or just visiting enemy territory.

Sadly, Jerry recently suffered a stroke. On July 14 we will gather for one special night to honor Jerry for his contributions to Red Sox Nation and what he means to our community, and raise money to help him cover some of his medical expenses.

If you want more information or if you have anything you would like to donate to be raffled (gift certificates, dvds, books, etc.) please let me know. There will be a suggested donation at the door.

Catch us if you can

Catch us if you can

Catch us if you can

Catch us if you can

-Dave Clark / Lenny Davidson

Who Went to The Parade?

Alright, who had the guts to call in to work today to attend the rolling rally in Boston? Everyone claims they're going to go, but as I learned in '86 when everyone bragged that they were going to cut out of school to go see the Celtics at Government Center, there I was alone with Greg Frawley bumming money off me for hot dogs and tonic. I had to go though; I didn't have a choice. My mother actually wrote me a note to get me out early.

I still can't believe that the Celts were underdogs. How the hell did everyone except Brian Scalabrine really think that the Lakers were the better team? All year long the Celts practiced scoring on the tougher defending East teams while they shut down the offenses of the West teams. It was a no-brainer. I just hope that someone out there took my advice and bet with the odds on 6 games (5-1).

But honestly, a lot of the credit needs to go to the faithful at Professor Thom's. Those last few games were the loudest the bar has ever been. "Defense" chants followed every Laker possession while a few choice chants aimed at Kobe filled in the gaps. I don't think they could have done it without you. I put a bunch of the photos from Game 6 on Flickr. Feel free to add you own.

Jerry Casale Benefit

I'll be sending out more details about the benefit for former Sox pitcher Jerry Casale next week. But, as of now put aside July 14th for a terrific party for a great guy at Professor Thom's. The Sox have donated some stuff for auctions and we'll have ticket raffles and some special appearances too.

More Thom's Foolery

Vote now and vote often for Thommy John Pizzarelli's entry in MLB's "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" contest. John's a big time Jazz musician, but a bigger Red Sox fan. (Yes, it's the guy from the Foxwoods commercial.)

I've added another DVD to the Thom's library. "Crazy Legs" Conti is the 11th ranked eater in the world and the only Thommy that has no problem polishing off our nachos. Check out his DVD "Zen and The Art of Competitive Eating" and look for an eating event at Thom's in the near future.

In the DC Area?

Check out the premiere of "Holyland Hardball" a well-reviewed film by Brett Rapkin ("Impossible to Forget: The Story of the '67 Boston Red Sox" and "Spaceman: A Baseball Odyssey").

Sing with me, sing for the years

Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears

Sing with me, if its just for today

Maybe tomorrow the good lord will take you away

-Aerosmith

Beat L.A.

It's about this time that someone always asks, "If they lose the championship was it worth it?" Who cares, the Celtics are going to win. Somehow the team with the best record in the NBA, a better record against the West than the East, and the best defense in the league is underdog to Kobe Bryant. You know what that means: Place your bets. Right now the Cetics are getting about 8-1 to beat the Lakers in 5 games and 5-1 to win in 6 games. That's easy green stuff.

If you're coming to Thom's tonight for Game 1 you should get there early for game 3 between the Sox and the Famous Original Tampa Rays. The baseball game was moved up to 6 out of concern for excess traffic in Boston. So, if you come in at 8 looking for a table and they're all gone, don't say I didn't warn you.

Benefits

Mark your calendars now for July 14 when we'll be hosting a benefit for former Sox hurler Jerry Casale. Jerry's had some health problems lately and we're going to pick him up with an evening in his honor with many special guests. Details to follow.

And, if you find yourself in the giving mood help one of our favorite Thommies, Kim reach her most modest goal in her battle against Alzheimer's disease: Click here for more info.

More Thom's Foolery

There are still plenty of free tickets behind the bar for tomorrow's Summer Session at Harpoon Brewery. If you're going to Boston come in and pick some up.

Haven't found that perfect Father's Day gift yet? Check out Andy Wasif's new book Green Monster University. Andy does signings at the bar a couple of times per year.

My Father is the butcher

My Mother cooks the meat

And, I'm the little hot dog

That's runs around the street

-William Ralph Wertz

Blessed! Still We Believe!

Today is the day that "Blessed! Still We Believe" finally goes on sale everywhere. The extra features on this DVD will have more footage from Thom's than the Shaw's version that's been around for a couple months.

Jon Lester thrilled Sox fans last night by throwing the first no-hitter by a lefty in more than 50 years. To boot, it was the fourth no-hitter caught by Jason Varitek, a new MLB record. It seems like mound celebrations are becoming common place in Red Sox Nation. I for one will never tire of seeing them.

The Celts kick off their final series before the championship at home tonight versus Detroit. Ray Allen needs to score double digits with Pierce so worn out from the Cavs series. Look for Rondo to run Billups who has been nursing a sore hamstring.

More Thom's Foolery

Gino is the not only the dancing machine on the Garden's scoreboard this year he's the burying machine from the Bronx. The man who used voodoo to start Ortiz' current tear now claims that he buried a scorecard from the '04 ALCS under the new toilet. Can you dig it?

3rd Base Saloon Reopens its Door

McGreevy's is back in Boston. The original sports bar that was home to Boston sports fanciers and cranks more than 100 years ago has reopened its doors, this time on Boylston Street not too far from Fenway.

The 'Nuf Ced behind this version of the saloon is sometime Thom's visitor and baseball historian Peter Nash. Peter made the film "Royal Rooters" last year which will be screened at Thom's soon.

If you find yourself in Boston make sure to try it out at 911 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02115.

For now check it out online:

http://www.mcgreevysboston.com (under construction)http://www.myspace.com/mcgreevysboston

http://going.com/mcgreevysboston

Night Time is the Wright Time

According to the NY Post Boston's own Stephen Wright dropped by the bar last Saturday to catch the Sox and the Celts.

He said he looked us up on-line. While at the end of the bar he sketched some of the female patrons on the back of menus signing them "You by Me, SW". It was the Wright night to be at the bar as both hometown teams won.

I went for a walk last night and she asked me how long I was going to be gone. I said, "The whole time." -SW

Sox Take on Team Sponsored by Pizza Shop.

The Sox’ spate of ninth innings wins ended ignominiously last night when Uncle Jed Lowrie forgot to bring a bat to the plate with him.

In case you missed it, the game first ended on a Crisp fly ball to center that was called back due to a BJ Ryan balk. The do-over turned into a two out rally and with a full count Lowrie disappointed all of the inside-out-caps by watching strike three. It wasn’t meant to be.

Your Boston Red Sox will try to avenge last week’s sweep in Tampa against the first place Ray's tonight. The Ray's changed their name this year from the Devil Rays to promote the pizza chain that sponsors them. The Famous Original Tampa Ray's made the move easily from Cental Park softball to MLB baseball.

But, that’s not all. As a bonus you will get Game 6 of the Celtics’ series. The doubters are back in the Celtics’ camp after seeing this series that was supposed to be a bye become competitive. Come out and boo Bibby.

Let’s see. What else is going on? Hmmm.

O Clemens! And you thought your record of 20 strikeouts would stand forever. Little did you know that you would strike out far more times in your retirement. The Daily News has been ripping Roger lately digging up his former lovers like the Yankees dig up Sox jerseys. (BTW, how’s your DL since that little incident, Hanky Panky?)

A third such liaison has come forward today. In case you’re keeping score at home, that’s a 15 year old girl, a mother of 4, and a Detroit stripper. Roger is all over the place just like he was in game 3 of the ’99 ALCS.

Reports have it that friends of Clemens are urging him to drop his defamation suit against Brian McNamee and escape the public eye. But, The Daily News has proven that report false unable to get find anyone claming Fraudger as a friend.

More Thom Foolery

After careful, careful deliberation (the month long variety) I’m a ready to declare a winner of our Red Sox Haiku contest. Our guest judge Hidenori Sekita of NHK chose Michael Liss as his overall favorite. Hide said, “This haiku is very simple and he understands the notion of haiku very well .“

The award for the people’s choice goes to Kristine Zaleskis who received all of the votes. Approbation and gift certificates await you at Professor Thom’s. Congrats.

Winners abound at Thom’s. Aside from the usual trivia night’s etc. we’ll be awarding a prize to the top fund raiser of our AIDS Walk team. Haven't joined up yet? You should.

Here’s a few reasons why from team captain Eden Ligas:

• You care about the plight of people living with HIV/AIDS
• You’ll be at Thom’s for the game anyways, might as well make the walk before
• You love Thom’s Ale
• Happy hour specials after the walk at Thom’s
• Michael Kay and Joe Buck won’t be doing the play-by-play
• You hate Kaczmarczyk!

When the moon hits your eye

Like a big pizza pie

That's Amore

- Harry Warren and Jack Brooks

RIP Buzzie Bavasi 1914-2008

RIP Emil "Buzzie" Bavasi

Sadly, former baseball executive Buzzie Bavasi died yesterday at the age of 93.

I'm happy to have gotten to know Buzzie in the past few months at his home in La Jolla and through e-mails. He was a very generous man with an underappreciated value to baseball. It's a shame that Cooperstown passed him by this year for the hall of fame in favor of Walter O'Malley his sometime boss and often nemesis.

In his last days Buzzie avidly watched three baseball games a day and "four when the Cubs [were] at home." Aside from being passionate about baseball he read on average three books a week.

Buzzie met his wife Evit when he was 13 years old and she was 11. He said, "I saw her skipping across the street with her books under her arm and said, 'Someday I'm going to marry that girl' and I did." They were to celebrate their 68 wedding anniversary this month.

Buzzie told me this joke a few months ago:"One day a baseball player went to heaven. St. Peter asked him at the gates, "What do you want to do?" The baseball player said he wanted to play baseball. So, St. Peter took him to a part of heaven with endless baseball fields and endless baseball players playing the most perfect brand of baseball he had ever seen. In the middle of it was a man orchestrating it all wearing a hat that read W.O'M. The baseball player asked St. Peter, "I don't get it. What is Walter O'Malley doing here? I thought he'd be in the other place. St. Peter answerd, "No, no. That's not Walter O'Malley. That's God. He just thinks he's Walter O'Malley."

Rest in peace Buzzie. You will be missed.

'Eck of a Guy

Professor Thom's was at the center of an affair in Boston last week at Fenway to celebrate the release of "Blessed! Still We Believe 2". We had a great opportunity to whoop it up with former Sox hurler Dennis Eckersley.

The film which features so many Thommies is only available in New England at Shaw's supermarkets. It will be for sale online May 13 and there will be a screening at Thom's May 15.

Can You Dig It?

No tickets for the game tomorrow? Come to Thom’s. Why? Why?

Well, David Laurila will be there signing copies of his book “Interviews From Red Sox Nation” featuring “over 100 interviews with a wide range of people associated with Red Sox baseball past and present.”

And, in case that’s not enough how about the 4th installment in the series we like to call Red Sox/Yankees?

Yes, the ex-con’s shirt has been excavated. Hanky panky went from denial to forking over $50k to dig up the shirt that supposedly didn’t exist. And now the Steinbrainners want Gino from the Bronx (First time long time) to cover their costs.

While they’re at it, why don’t they get Gino to pay for Kei Igawa’s contract or how about Posada’s contract? Maybe Gino could dig up some experience for Ian Kennedy and a haircut for Bruney. So, much for that “Yankee look”. And, since they’re asking the authorities to look into charges against Gino why don’t they look into how an ex-con with mob ties gets hired to an $88/hour job building the new shrine?

Oh, it’s going to be ugly in the Bronx these next two days. The Sox are coming off of two huge 9th inning wins in Cleveland. The only rivalry in baseball is alive and well.

Blessed: Still We Believe 2

Look for a special Thom’s screening of the newest Red Sox film around the 15th of May. This will be the only New York showing of the film featuring so many Thommies.

Following that we’ll be doing a special screening of “Rooters: The Birth of Red Sox Nation” by Peter Nash. Peter is also opening a new Red Sox bar in Boston. If you’re in Boston for the marathon, be sure to stop by.

Don't forget to join Thom's AIDS Walk team.

I can dig it He can dig it
She can dig it We can dig it
They can dig it You can dig it
Ohhhh, let's dig it,
Can you dig it, baby

THE FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION

Thom's Regulars Weigh in on Jinx

The NY Post shot some interviews for NYPOST.COM at Thom's Friday night during the opener of the Yankees series. The subject was the alleged Red Sox shirt buried under the new Yankee Stadium.

As the Yankees go on to doubt the story of the buried jersey the construction worker released photographic evidence of the shirt being buried in concrete. The icing on the cake is the hard-hat embalmer is a Bronx native. Rumors abound as to what else "Gino" the construction worker stored in cement.

Yankees Cursed, or Course.

"You son of a bitch. You moved the cemetery, but you left the bodies, didn't you? You son of a bitch, you left the bodies and you only moved the head stones. You only moved the head stones. Why? Why?-"Poltergeist"

Well, that's it the MFY are finally done and Thom's had a say in it.

HIGH'JINX' HITS YANKEES-NY Post

Today's story in the New York Post details a construction worker from Boston's attempts to screw the Yankees forevermore (or at least for 34 years until they tear down the new hallowed grounds of Yankee stadium). According to The NY Post there is a Red Sox shirt buried in the cement poured in the floor of the visiting clubhouse. They also claimed that the Yankees buried something in tribute to Thurman Munson in the home club house. This begs the question, what else is buried there? I hope we get a clue every year about something else buried.

The Yankees should really take advantage of this situation and start burying anything they're embarrassed by. They could bury Kei Igawa with his contract, and why not Hideki Irabu whlie they're at it. They could bury Brian McNamee and all of the syringes he used on Clemens and Pettitte. They could bury Slappy's Blue Lips and Cap'n's Golden Gloves. I bet they wish they could bury Hank Steinbrenner right now.

While they're down there they should dig up Billy Martin. Maybe he could teach Hank some humility.

Any more ideas?

Make a pile of trunk tires

And burn em all down

Bring a dollar with you baby

In the cold cold groundCold cold ground

-Tom Waits

The Red Sox, The Tigers, and Bruins. Oh My

Red Sox fans, how did you spend the Red Sox home opener? In 2005 I spent it trailed by a camera crew from YES Network! That’s right, the Yankees. It was my job to show 4 MFY fans around the Athens of America. Fear not, it was for a good cause as the footage will show. I made sure they suffered.

This year I took it easy joining the BLOHARDS on their annual pilgrimage to the most beloved ballpark in the country, Fenway. There wasn’t as much pomp and circumstance as the ceremony in 2005, but it was still special. Check out all of the pictures on Flickr and add your own to the pool.

We had a little time before the game so we headed to Shaw’s to pick up a copy of “Blessed: Still We Believe 2”. Look for details about a screening at Thom’s. And, if you can’t get to Shaw’s you can pre-order a copy here.

The Sox play tonight at 7pm against Detroit then host the Yankees this weekend. The crowds at the bar should be great and they’ll be plenty of give-aways.

Lace Up Your Skates!

It’s that annual right of passage that Boston fans for generations have suffered. The time has come again for the Bruins/Canadiens playoff exhibition. Yaaaaaaaay! Yes, each year the Bruins are allowed to play the Montreal Canadiens in as many as 7 games of exhibition hockey before the Canadiens move on to the NHL playoffs and the Bruins players go back to their jobs bagging groceries. The celebrations start tonight at 7 pm.

The BC Eagles face off in the Frozen Four tonight against North Dakota at 6 pm. Then it’s Notre Dame and Michigan at 9 pm. The winners will play Saturday at 7 pm in the national championship. College championship hockey is the best brand of the sport.

Second verse same as the first

I'm Henry the eighth I am

Henry the eighth I am, I am

(Murray/Weston)

2008 Red Sox Ring Ceremony

Blessed: Still We Believe 2

Stop by your local Shaw's tomorrow for a Sox party and pick up your copy of "Blessed: Stil We Believe 2".

Or pre-order on Amazon: Blessed: Still We Believe 2

Goodbye Bob Lobel

Tomorrow, the event you've all been waiting for, "Blessed: Still We Believe 2" will be released in New England Shaw's stores. This is the movie that features scores of Thommies taking you through the 2007 Sox season all the way to the World Series Trophy visit at Thom's. That's right you are all in pictures. But, just because you're big stars doesn't mean you should let it go to your head. You should still come out to Thom's this week and support your teams. You could pre-order it at Amazon, but it will take 6 weeks to get it. So, get to your local Shop Rite.

First, there will be tons of Thommies on hand tonight to watch the UMass Minutemen play at the Madison Square Garden in the National Invitational Tournament Championship against Ohio State. Make no mistake about it; the NIT is the real championship! That other one is for the runners up.

On Saturday the Final Four tips off at 6 pm. And, on Monday it's the lesser of the two college National Championships. (In case you're interested, we will have a sizable crowd and reservations are not taken. So, get there early and take advantage of Happy Hour.)

Then on Tuesday, the day you've all been waiting for, the 2007 World Series Champions get their rings at the home opener against Detroit. I hope you saved a sick day because we will have a very nice crowd at Thom's for this twice in a lifetime affair. The game starts at 2 pm.

Next Thursday, April 10 come out and support the BC Eagles hockey team who returns to the Frozen Four for the third straight year. Face off is at 6 p.m.

And finally, fairwell to Bob Lobel, longtime sports anchor for WBZ who saw his contract bought out by the station yesterday after almost 37 years on the air. My little league field was next to WBZ on Soldier's Field Road and after games we would sneak into their parties and just stare at the people that were on our TV every night: Liz Walker and Jack Williams, meteorologist Bruce Schwoegler and sports anchor Bob Lobel. Much later, in 2003 I ran into Lobel (literally) at Game 1 of the ALCS. He was speeding through the hallway of Yankee Stadium teetering a beer and hotdog loaded cardboard food tray like Abominable when my friend John said, "Hey Bob. Cowboy up." Bob nodded and smiled and Wake mowed down the MFY.

You oughta be in pictures,

You're wonderful to see,

You oughta be in pictures,

Oh what a hit you would be!

Your voice would thrill a nation,

Your face would be adored,

You'd make a great sensation

with wealth and fame your reward.
-Edward Heyman / Dana Suesse

Opening Day All Over Again and Again.

Ok, in case you haven't heard we were packed for the Sox season opener in Japan. At 6 am! Not only were there more than 100 fans, but we had two TV stations, two newspapers, and 1010 WINS doing live radio updates all morning. Thank you everyone for making this event so great and not making me regret getting out of bed at that ungodly hour.

As great as it was, there's more to come. Here's the week ahead:

Friday, the best record in the NBA hosts the best record in the West when the Celtics take on the Hornets at 7:30 p.m. This week the Celts blew out Phoenix avenging an earlier west coast loss to the Suns. Now, they hope to do the same to New Orleans a team that beat them recently despite an all-star performance from Rondo. We've had some great Celtics crowds lately as we get closer to the post-season.

Saturday the Sox play in what should be the biggest baseball game in the history of the universe when they do battle with the L.A. Dodgers at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. If you're not lucky enough to be one of the 115,000 in attendance, the game for you, of course, will be om at Thom's at 10:10 p.m.

Sunday night is the first regular season game not in Japan pitting the Washington Nationals against the Boston Braves (Sorry, I still can't give it up. They played in Allston for crying out loud!)

Monday, some other teams play in the official Opening Day.

Then Tuesday, The Sox are back for the A's official home opener in America at 10:05 p.m.

More Thom's Foolery

Don't forget that we have a little haiku contest going on. Be sure to look below to see all of the entries and tell me which you think is the best. he winner will be announced some time next week.

In honor of the pilgrimage so many of the faithful are making to the Coliseum (Send pictures. I'll post them.):

Well, I'm goin' out west where I belong

Where the days are short and the nights are long

Where they walk and I'll walk

They twist and I'll twist

They shimmy and I'll shimmy

They fly and I'll fly

Well they're out there a'havin' fun

In that warm California sun.

-Henry Glover and Morris Levy