Because “O-Cab” was acquired at the July 31 trade deadline from Montreal, few cards from that year depict him in a Red Sox uniform. This Topps “Heritage” set was modeled after 1955 Bowmans, which honored the then-new “Color TV.”
Orlando “O-Cab” Cabrera had the huge task of replacing fan favorite Nomar Garciaparra at shortstop.
His stellar efforts included 17 post-season hits and 11 RBI.
Tributes from Red Sox fans flowed after after Cabrera’s 2011 retirement.
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The Red Sox are the only pro team to sponsor a yearly literary series, entitled “The Great Fenway Park Writers Series.” Flavin and his new book received July honors. Learn more about the series at the event website. Speaking of Series, admire the World Series ring on the hand of the PA announcer/poet. (Photo courtesy of Julie Cordero, staff photographer, Boston Red Sox.)
I’m not the only author who has written about the Red Sox.
Dick Flavin is the team’s poet laureate. The daytime PA announcer appeared on a popular radio program in April.
This month, his book comes out (Red Sox Rhymes: Curses and Verses).
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![Back-up catcher Doug Mirabelli was the perfect team player for the Red Sox, doing anything needed -- even welcoming ceremonial first pitch participants in 2002. By U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman Joe Burgess. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.lizaketchum.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/US_Navy_020703-N-7422B-001_Torpedomans_Mate_3rd_Class_Brian_Ryan_Secretary_of_the_Navy_Gordon_England_U.S._Marine_Captain_Israel_Garcia_and_Boston_Red_Sox_catcher_Doug_Mirabelli.jpg)
Back-up catcher Doug Mirabelli was the perfect team player for the Red Sox, doing anything needed — even welcoming ceremonial first-pitch participants to Fenway Park in 2002. By U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman Joe Burgess. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
If baseball was basketball, stats might credit back-up catcher Doug Mirabelli with 12 assists for knuckleballer Tim Wakefield’s dozen wins in 2004.
As “Wake’s” personal catcher with over-sized mitt, he gave the hurler the perfect defensive partner.
![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.
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![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.”
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![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.
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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.
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![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.
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![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.
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