Oh. My. God.

Let it never be said I didn't always succeed at finding new ways to embarass myself to the fullest. For the record, I'm not actually a seamstress. At least, not an expert one. Read on, if you dare.

Copyright 2004 Boston Herald Inc.

The Boston Herald

October 31, 2004 Sunday

ALL EDITIONS

SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. B18

LENGTH: 479 words

HEADLINE: WORLD CHAMPIONS;
Red Sox, fans put title on parade

BYLINE: By Michael O'Connor

BODY:
Rolling Rally? Try Rolling Thunder.
As the number of those hopping on the Red Sox bandwagon swelled into the millions along the parade route for the 2004 World Series champions, a seemingly region-wide roar greeted the honorees.

It was as if the entire city was doing a 1,000-decibel version of The Wave yesterday as a convoy of 17 Duck Boats passed, from the once-filthy Fens to the not-quite-so-dirty water of the Charles River.

It was difficult to hear anyone. The red- and blue-clad players and families, coaches and front-office personnel were simply enveloped in a joyful cloud of white noise.

But David Ortiz made sure his voice was heard at Fenway Park, where the Ducks had gathered up their special guests. The big slugger said he witnessed a woman weeping after Game7 last year.

``This lady was crying and it was kind of sad,'' recalled Ortiz, dressed in a red warmup suit for the celebration.
He made a vow then and there to turn that fan's frown upside down.
``I went and told my teammates, `Hey, we should make people laugh, be happy,''' he said.
And Ortiz said he knew how to accomplish that: Just return to Fenway Park one October later with the World Series trophy.

That gleaming symbol of baseball supremacy was proudly displayed on the infield yesterday.
If Ortiz was a study in scarlet, Pedro Martinez more than matched him in blue, right up to his tinted, Bono-esque shades.

Sporting a headband that read ``Dominican Republic,'' Martinez said his chief goal for this season ``was to be part of this ball team that would end up here at the Green Monster, with a whole bunch of fans behind us, and actually pull it off for Boston. I don't think I will ever get any bigger gifts than I got right now.''

Once the raucous parade got under way, both the fans and their heroes were reduced to gestures and hand signals.
Near the Boston Common, Andrew Danberg-Ficarelli of Newton caught Ortiz' attention by emulating Big Papi's trademark, two-finger motion from his heart to heaven.

``And then he did it right back to me,'' said the Newton man, looking as gleeful as if Ortiz had just handed him season tickets for 2005. ``This is just amazing for everyone.''

Danberg-Ficarelli's girlfriend, Mollie Conroy, hails from Illinois, but she could boast a Red Sox connection that would be the envy of any fan. Her great uncle was Bill Conroy, a catcher for the team from 1942-44. She even wore a Sox team jersey with ``Conroy'' stretched across the back - courtesy of her boyfriend, an expert seamstress.

Danberg-Ficarelli's mother, Victoria Danberg, suggested there was just one more symbolic gesture to make to put right all of Red Sox history.

``We've got to take back the Babe,'' she said. ``I mean, he helped the Red Sox win three World Series (1915, '16, '18) before he went to New York, and he ended his career with the Boston Braves.

``Finally, we have to welcome back Babe Ruth.''

GRAPHIC: CHAMPS' SALUTE: Red Sox outfielders Johnny Damon (left) and Dave Roberts wave to the crowd on Boylston Street during yesterday's parade celebrating the team's World Series title. Staff photo by Tara Bricking

LOAD-DATE: October 31, 2004