THE "IDIOTS" REVERSE THE CURSE

October 28, 2004 ... Everybody hates the dreaded center seat on an airplane. But not if that seat contains the 30-pound, world championship trophy. Pedro Martinez didn't let the ultimate prize of his 13-year career out of his sight during the two hour charter flight from St. Louis to Boston in which most of his teammates and their families napped. Champagne for the most part remained corked. The Red Sox' victory ride was low key. The flight departed at 3:22 a.m. 

On the long, deserted walk, an airport worker asked David Ortiz for an autograph. Red Sox charters, operated by Delta, are different than flying commercial. The cabin door is not locked. Nobody tells you to turn off electrical devices. The captain has Sox autographs all over his uniform. In midflight, after a bit of turbulence, the master of wind current - knuckleballer Tim Wakefield- comes strolling out of the cockpit with a smile.

The first announcement on board comes not from a flight attendant but from pitcher Curt Schilling. The now legendary righthander thanks the 50 players, coaches, and front-office people for their support, and asks management for 50 Harley-Davidsons for spring training. His teammates applaud. Later Schilling, who limped slightly, said he was glad the Series ended in four straight games. Red Sox executive vice president Dr. Charles Steinberg is getting ready for tomorrow's parade. Johnny Damon will be appearing on the "Late Show with David Letterman" Monday, and Jay Leno has booked Damon for next week as well, and now wants the whole team to appear with the bearded wonder. Steinberg is also huddling with Lucchino for a tour that would take the trophy all across Red Sox Nation, including Sox bars in Santa Monica, Calif., and a visit to the Dominican Republic.

In the players' cabin, the cabin lights are shut off shortly after takeoff. Jason Varitek, Gabe Kapler, Mark Bellhorn, and Mike Myers play cards with a makeshift table (a blanket stretched across the top of two rows). Kevin Youkilis, who was added to the World Series roster, has a permanent grin.

As the plane approaches Logan, dawn is rising over the Boston Harbor islands. There's a nearly full moon behind Fenway. On the runway are about 100 Massport workers, state troopers, and firefighters to greet the conquering heroes. The players are given an ovation. Ellis Burks, the veteran who rehabbed in vain all year to come back from a knee injury, carries the trophy off the plane.
 

October 29, 2004 ... The "rolling rally" will stretch for about 3 miles, from the Fenway to Boston City Hall, and feature current and former Sox players in a caravan of duck boats, equipped with a public address system so they can greet fans along the way. At the head of the procession will be a boatload of Sox legends, including Johnny Pesky, Jim Rice, Rico Petrocelli, and Jim Lonborg, among others, city officials said. Special machines will shoot confetti from the duck boats.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and is expected to wrap up by 1:30. The National Weather Service reported there is a chance of showers early in the morning in the greater Boston area, and rain is likely for late morning and early afternoon. Temperatures will reach the lower 60s.

The City of Boston a leg that will take the team up the Charles River aboard duck boats and expand the viewing area to include the Esplanade and the Cambridge bank of the river.  Mayor Thomas M. Menino ordered the change after Boston police and some crowd-control specialists expressed concerns to the mayor that the original, 3-mile route on Bolyston Street could create a safety hazard for parade-goers and leave thousands without a clear vantage point to see the players.