![Sporting the "C" on his jersey, Jason Varitek led Boston's 2004 rise. Googie man at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.lizaketchum.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Jason_Varitek.jpg)
Sporting the “C” on his jersey, Jason Varitek led Boston’s 2004 rise. Googie man at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons
Catcher Jason Varitek was a field general in 2004, guiding a pitching staff.
On July 24 at Fenway Park, he proved to the Yankees and one Alex Rodriguez how far he’d go for a pitcher.
[Post footer OOLF]
![In 2006, Red Sox legend Johnny Pesky proudly displayed his World Series ring. By Hackhix (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.lizaketchum.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/256px-JohhnyPesky.jpg)
In 2006, Red Sox legend Johnny Pesky displayed his team pride via his World Series ring. By Hackhix (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Boston players played for “a ring” in 2004.
And what a ring they earned! Their World Series ring read on one side: “Greatest Comeback in History.”
[Post footer OOLF]
![Manny, who provided an all-star homer, gets the all-star treatment at the World Series victory parade. By Schmiddy at en.wikipedia (Uploaded to the English Wikipedia by the author.) [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.lizaketchum.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/256px-Manny_Ramirez_Parade.jpg)
Manny Ramirez, who provided an all-star homer, gets the all-star treatment at the 2004 World Series victory parade. By Schmiddy at en.wikipedia (Uploaded to the English Wikipedia by the author.) [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons
Manny Ramirez was the sole Red Sox starter on the 2004 All-Star team.
However, Manny and David Ortiz contributed key homers that guaranteed Boston home field advantage for the World Series.
Here are all the stats you’d ever need to relive that night.
![The mysterious Manny Ramirez, circa 2008. By Keith Allison (Flickr) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.lizaketchum.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Manny2008redsox.jpg)
The mysterious Manny Ramirez, circa 2008. By Keith Allison (Flickr) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The words “Manny being Manny” are part of my book Out of Left Field.
They’re being spoken more than a decade later, repeated by Hall of Fame teammate Pedro Martinez.
[Post footer OOLF]
Dave Roberts wore a different team cap during the 2010 off-season: the U.S. Navy’s. He toured the USS Carl Vinson as a Padres coach. By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Travis K. Mendoza (http://www.flickr.com/photos/compacflt/5260980927/) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
More Boston news outlets than California media jumped on the story when former Red Sox speedster Dave Roberts (briefly) was named interim manager of the Padres.
It seems those reporters haven’t forgotten “The Steal” from 2004, either.
My husband and I were lucky to attend the Sox/Giants game, the summer after the World Series, which marked Roberts’ first return to Fenway Park. The crowd went wild when he came up to bat and gave him a standing ovation, even though he was now playing for the other team.
[Post footer OOLF]
![Writing or announcing, Verducci knows how devoted Boston fans are! By Sandy_Alderson_and_Tom_Verducci.jpeg: Caryn Rose derivative work: Delaywaves talk (Sandy_Alderson_and_Tom_Verducci.jpeg) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.lizaketchum.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Tom_Verducci_2011-1-150x245.jpg)
Writing or announcing, Verducci knows how devoted Boston fans are! By Sandy_Alderson_and_Tom_Verducci.jpeg: Caryn Rose derivative work: Delaywaves talk (Sandy_Alderson_and_Tom_Verducci.jpeg) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The 2004 Red Sox revival meant the world to Brandon in Out of Left Field.
In reality, other fans felt the same.
Tom Verducci crafted the perfect tribute to the Boston faithful, a feature that keeps inspiring more than a decade later.
[Post footer OOLF]
![One of the many program vendors working the neighborhood outside Fenway before games! By Vegasjon (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.lizaketchum.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Program_vendor_at_Fenway_Park.jpg)
One of the many program vendors working the neighborhood outside Fenway before games! By Vegasjon (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Boston Baseball or Yawkey Way Report?
Red Sox fans have great reading choices even before they enter Fenway to consider the team’s “official” magazine.
Here’s a look at the newest “kid” on the publishing block.
[Post footer OOLF]
!["Wake" throwing his knuckler in a 2006 battle at Baltimore. By Waldo Jaquith on Flickr [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.lizaketchum.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/256px-Wakefield_Throws_a_Knuckleball.jpg)
“Wake” throwing his knuckler in a 2006 battle at Baltimore. By Waldo Jaquith on Flickr [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Although he didn’t sparkle in the ’04 World Series, Tim Wakefield supplied Boston with a dozen victories prior to the Fall Classic.
He did it all with one mystical pitch.
Here’s one of his starring moments (including some slow-motion artistry) from the 2012 documentary, Knuckleball:
[Post footer OOLF]
![Nomar in 2002. By Dlz28 on en.wikipedia (From en.wikipedia; description page is (was) here) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.lizaketchum.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/256px-Nomar2002.jpg)
Nomar in 2002. By Dlz28 on en.wikipedia (From en.wikipedia; description page is (was) here) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Through 2003, Nomar Garciaparra was a Boston sparkplug.
His strict at-bat rituals—which started when he left the dugout, one careful step at a time—amused fans. He had five All-Star nods. Two batting titles. Brandon and other fans expected him to help spark Boston’s turnaround.
[Post footer OOLF]
Frank Malzone, who became a Red Sox Hall of Famer in 1995, is quoted by author Golenbock as saying his promotion from the minors was delayed because of his Italian heritage.
As the Sox struggle this year, we need to look back on successful seasons in the past.
A good place to do that is with Peter Golenbock’s history, Red Sox Nation: The Rich and Colorful History of the Boston Red Sox.
Golenbock writes team histories like no other author. This 608-page book will provide any Red Sox Nation citizen a mental and physical workout.