After this lost weekend of baseball, I needed a positive spin on the Boston Red Sox. Thankfully, I had just received the 04 and 07 World Series Films earlier in the week for review–and let me tell you: They were JUST what the doctor ordered.

Part 1 covered the 2004 World Series, and was narrated by Denis O’Leary.  Chronicling the 2004 Postseason, starting with the Sox sweep of the Angels in the ALDS, continuing with the indescribable, albeit exhausting, ALCS, it concluded with the 4-Game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals to break the 86 year drought, and bring a World Series back to Boston.

I saw this film a while ago, back when it was released, but you know what? It didn’t matter. The 2004 World Series, and all the postseason games (OK, maybe not the sucky ones) that lead up to it, were infinitely special, memorable, breathtaking, and never EVER gets old. I could watch this frequently, and never tire of the idiots, the bloody sock, THE steal, and Kevin Millar saying over and over “Don’t let us win Game 4, because in Game 5 they get Pedy, Game 6 is Schilling and in Game 7, anything can happen.”

And my most favorite part of the whole experience that was the 2007 World Series? (Besides the win) The fact that the Boston Red Sox did what no other sports team ever did: Came back from 0-3 to win a best of 7 series. And the corollary to that whenever any OTHER sports team ends up at 0-3, you HAVE to mention the Boston Red Sox and how they did the impossible…

Part 2 covered the 2007 World Series, and was narrated by Matt Damon. This also chronicled the sweep (again) of the Angels, the come from behind win of the Cleveland Indians from 1-3, and then the sweep of the Colorado Rockies, making the Red Sox the 1st team to win 2 World Series in the 21st Century.

While it did not have the intensity of the 2004 World Series, (that was a very tough act to follow) the 2007 film brought back great memories that I had forgotten. Like Daisuke’s hit and RBI in the World Series, JD Drew’s Grand Slam in the ALCS, how DOMINANT Hideki Okajima was that whole year, and how young Jon Lester was, a year removed from cancer treatment and pitching game 4 of the World Series…

In 2007, most memorable for me, was how much of a FORCE Mike Lowell was back then. Before he retired, he was so injured, and in so much pain at the end, it was wonderful to see him in the middle of everything as he was in 2007.

Both the 2004 and 2007 World Series films were filled with interviews and commentary from the Red Sox, as well as St. Louis, and Colorado.

The whole DVD/Blue Ray, which releases on September 27th, clocks in at a little less than 3 hours, and includes Bonus Features such as Tito’s hiring Press Conference, all the Celebrations, both World Series Trophy Presentations, and much much more, You can buy it here at A & E.com, or wherever videos are sold.  Its something ever Red Sox fan should own–so check it out!

But before you do that, I have FIVE copies to give away, and all you have to do is tell me, in the comments, below, which World Series was better, 2004 or 2007–and indicate if you want a DVD or Blu-ray… For me, its easy: 2004–for all the reasons above. What’s yours?

Deadline is Friday, September 23rd at 12:00noon. If I get more than 5 Entries, winners will be drawn at random.

Start commenting, and Good Luck!

We all know that Fenway Park will celebrate her 100th anniversary in April 2012, and that, at 100 years, she is the oldest Major League Baseball Park in existence.

Only Fenway and Wrigley Field in Chicago have the manual scoreboards still in operation today, and Fenway Park is still one of the decreasing number of parks that haven’t been co-opted by some big corporation (Minute Maid Park, US Cellular Field, Safeco Field, etc)

And Fenway Park, for me, is the Holy Land…

And what more perfect way to celebrate the Birthday of Fenway, “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark” than with a book of its rich and beautiful history, filled with wonderful pictures of the last 100 years of this magnificent and special place.

Add to that, an in-depth documentary of Fenway Park, narrated by Red Sox catching icon, Hall of Famer, and the only “Pudge” as far as I am concerned, Carlton Fisk and you have Fenway Park: The Centennial

And this is truly a match made in heaven–Both the book and the accompanying DVD are full of stunning photography, a well-researched historical timeline, as well as quotes from folks who have been touched by Fenway Park, like this gem from Duffy Lewis, who played left field before there was a Green Monster, and when it was just “Duffy’s Cliff”:

“I’d go out to the ballpark (during the) mornings and have somebody hit the ball again and again out to the wall. I experimented with every angle of approach up the cliff until I learned to play the slope correctly. Sometimes it would be tougher coming back down the slope than coming up. With runners on base, you had to come off the cliff throwing.”

Or this one from Kevin Youkilis:

“It’s pretty impressive how much energy and adrenaline flows through this stadium. It’s always been that way and always will be for me. Sitting in the same dugout as Ted Williams really makes you reflect and have an appreciation for the game.”

Written by former sports and news correspondent for the New York Post, Feature writer for the Boston Herald, and now a senior publications edition for Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Saul Wisnia is a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox and of Fenway, and lives exactly 6.78 miles from the Park, today.

Fenway Park: The Centennial – 100 Years of Red Sox Baseball, released today, and can be purchased here, or wherever fine books or sold, and it’s well worth your time and money to pick this book up.

But, before you do that, Boston Red Thoughts is giving away THREE of these books and DVD collections. What do you need to do? Share your favorite memory of Fenway Park in the comments section of this post, and the 3 best will win. Deadline is this Thursday, September 15th at 12 noon, EST. Start writing, and Good Luck!

But, somehow that seems a fitting coincidence to the fact that 5 years ago yesterday, Boston Red Thoughts was born, and over a thousand posts later, here I am, still bitching and moaning, and sometimes even cheering about my beloved Boston Red Sox. Thank you to the countless folks, friends and bloggers, alike, who have contributed to the extraordinary experience that has been Boston Red Thoughts for the last 5 years–and here’s to 5 more–all of them ending with a Red Sox World Series Ring…

Last night, I sat down to watch the final game of this 3 games series against the Skanks, feeling pretty confident about the Sox chances, as Jon Lester was on the mound. And all of a sudden, in the 2nd inning, its 4-1 Skanks, and I think to myself “uh oh, another less than stellar outing for Lester” so I watch for a little while longer, and then I fell asleep, only to wake to a tie score (Thanks for Kevin Youkilis and his 3-run shot.) So I watch for a little while longer, and see the Sox take the lead, 5-4, only to fall asleep AGAIN–so it was a nice text message to get this morning that the Sox had beaten and swept the Skanks, AND got themselves to .500 for the 1st time this season…

And how ’bout the drama trauma on Saturday night? Jorge Posada, slumping horribly with his .165 BA, was moved to 9th in the batting order by Girardi–and, accordingly to sources, threw this hissy fit, and asked to be taken out of the lineup–like 30 minutes before the start of a game. A game against the most heated rival, the Sox…

HOLY…BUCKETS! Did Facebook light up like Christmas! And the most entertaining part of all was that it took the Skankee fans about 1.3 seconds to throw him completely under the bus… Good Times! Calling him everything from a quitter, to a cancer, to, of all things, Manny Ramirez (for quitting on his team), they were completely freaking out…And since it was a game aired on FOX, Buck and McCarver got into the act, going on and on and on…It was a beautiful thing to watch…

I especially liked how Jorge’s wife decided to “help” her husband by tweeting that her husband was having back troubles–bet that was the first Jorge heard about that…But it did give him a convenient excuse for his decidedly uncomfortable press conference after the game–where I don’t think he looked ANYONE in the eye….

I was hoping that the issue would continue to grow and fester, and be a horrible distraction for the reeling Skanks–but, alas, Posada apologized to Girardi, et al, before the game, and while he was not in the starting lineup last night—he pinch hit in the 8th last night, drawing a walk….and got a standing O from his fans, who apparently have completely forgotten about calling for his head less than 24 hours before…

But it was fun while it lasted–and the Skanks are still reeling, having lost their last 5 in a row…

So, John Lackey, who had sucked out loud in about 14 different colors, basically all season, is now going to try something TOTALLY different–or at least something OLDER–a different windup, one where instead of going over his head, he will keep his hands low on his body. Supposedly he used this a number of years ago, and feels like it helps his command. OK, so if it was such a great thing–why did he change it in the first place? Maybe it will help, but I find it hard to believe that he can just “poof!” change his mechanics like that, all of a sudden, and all will be well…But since he has an ERA of 8.01, which is the highest IN ALL OF BASEBALL, he has got to try something–and I guess we will see how it works out, when he takes the mound tomorrow night against the Oreos….

Finally, don’t forget, you still have until Thursday, May 19th at 6:00pm to head over to Tickets For Charity via this special link, fill in your email address, mention that Boston Red Thoughts sent you, and that’s it!

A winner will be selected at random from the emails received, with the winner being notified on Friday, May 20th. The winner and a guest receives a tour of Fenway Park and lunch during the day on Wednesday, May 25th, with the time and precise details to follow closer to the date. But I can tell you this: It’s a private tour that includes BOTH inside the Green Monster and on-field. WAY Cool stuff..and a must for any Sox fan!

Coming up: The other problem child, Daisuke, takes the mound tonight to kick off the 3 game series against Baltimore, and the 7-game home stand. Which Daisuke will it be? The no-hitter Daisuke? Or the 7 runs in 1 inning Daisuke? Fire up the blender–the Jack Daniels and Maalox “Daisuke Daiquiris” are on me! He is opposed by rookie Chris Tillman, who is making his 1st career start at Fenway. 1st pitch 7:10pm….

You can enter now until 6:00 pm on Thursday, May 19th, and here is how it works:

Go to this Tickets For Charity special link, fill in your email address, mention that Boston Red Thoughts sent you, and that’s it!

A winner will be selected at random from the emails received, with the winner being notified on Friday, May 20th.  And, your chances of winning are pretty good; this link is not accessible to the general public—its only available to the followers of the exclusive TFC partners!

The tour of Fenway Park and lunch will be held during the day on Wednesday, May 25th, with the time and precise details to follow closer to the date. But I can tell you this: It’s a private tour that includes BOTH inside the Green Monster and on-field. WAY Cool stuff..and a must for any Sox fan!

So, go on over, sign up–and good luck!

About Charity Partners: Created to dramatically increase critically needed funding to some of the world’s most admired charities and foundations, Charity Partners’ free fundraising platform enables the partner charities to spend more time executing their missions to serve and less time seeking the funding to do so. Tickets-for-Charity is Charity Partners’ first fundraising platform, offering music and sports fans the opportunity to access great seats to high-demand live events nationwide while supporting respected charities in the process.

In addition to currently partnering with more than 30 highly-respected national charities and foundations such as The Red Sox Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Feeding America, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, The National Children’s Cancer Society, and United Way Worldwide, Charity Partners/Tickets for Charity have also supported performing artist and sports team foundations. They invite team-affiliated foundations across the country to benefit from free hosting on their platform in order to meet the dramatic increase in consumers seeking local giving opportunities.

So if you need tickets–Tickets for Charity had ticket for every game at Fenway Park this year–head on over and check them out!

The prizes?  TWO copies of the  The Red Sox Coloring and Activity Book pictured here.

All you have to do is answer the 3 questions below, and you will be in the running for a brand spanking new copy of your very own. If more than two people get all of the answers correct, the winner will be chosen in a random drawing.

Deadline for all entries is Monday, July 6th, with the winner being announced July 8th.

Here are the questions:

• Which former Red Sox second baseman has become one of the premier color commentators in baseball?
• Which lightening quick outfielder led the A.L. in steals for the 08 season with 50?
• What is the nickname of the only Japanese pitcher to start a World Series game?

Good Luck!

Then check this out: Every year, Hawk’s Nest Publishing puts out The Red Sox Coloring and Activity Book, packed with more than 50 pages of pictures to color and fun activities for Red Sox fans of all ages.

This 3rd edition has been updated and features brand new illustrations and images of such fan favorites as Jonathan Papelbon, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jason Varitek, along with an all new World Series Championship Crossword Puzzle and updated Player Challenge Game.

This is also a perfect way to keep the littlest Red Sox fans busy during those long road trips to Fenway Park–and no batteries are required!

Looking for a gift for a fan of another team? Hawk’s Nest Publishing offers Coloring and Activity Books for The White Sox, Cubs, Mets, and the Yankees…

Interested? The book is $11.95, and can be ordered here. You can also order Editions 1 or 2 as well…

But since free is always better, how would you like to win your very own copy of The Red Sox Coloring and Activity Book? Just post a comment, answering the 3 questions below, and the winner will receive a brand spanking new copy for their very own. If more than one person gets all of the answers correct, the winner will be chosen in a random drawing…

Here are the questions:

• Which former Red Sox second baseman has become one of the premier color commentators in baseball?
• Which lightening quick outfielder led the A.L. in steals for the 08 season with 50?
• What is the nickname of the only Japanese pitcher to start a World Series game?

Deadline for all entries is July 6th, with the winner being announced July 8th.

Good Luck!