Thank you, Mark Bellhorn.
August 19, 2005
I have been a Red Sox fan since I was born, but if pressed, I'd really have to date my indoctrination to 1978, when the Sox first swept me away to dizzying heights and then dashed it on the boulders of a 14-game July lead lost by the chill of September. When they finally broke my ten-year-old heart in that playoff game, well, I guess I learned for the first time how badly love hurts when it lets you down. I also learned that love goes on. By 1986 I was a college sophomore in New York. I had the radio on and the windows open when the ball went between Buckner's legs, and I heard the exultant cheers of New Yorkers all around me as my heart fell six stories to the basement and shattered. (I'm not convinced I found all the pieces.) In 2003, when Grady Little failed to pull Pedro in the eighth, I did the unforgivable: I lost faith, and waited merely to see how the loss would play out, to see whom the fates would choose as the actors in the final play. But in 2004 I was resolved that no matter what, I would not lose that faith.So it was a fitting year to have Mark join the team. In all the moments one might have lost faith, he was a factor in holding the team together. In a year when the loss of Nomar Garciaparra seemed to spell disaster, he was sure and steady, quietly getting on base, smoothly turning double plays, never flagging. And what a lesson he had for us in keeping the faith in October! From the double to break Mussina's no-hitter to that beautiful, towering World Series Game One home run (and his quick point to the dugout, and that smile when he got there!) he reminded us that you only achieve when you keep trying, keep working and keep believing.
Obviously this year had been a little tougher, and I wish I had a way to atone for everyone at Fenway who ever treated Mark poorly. I never thought Sox fans would be like Yankee fans-and that's really the worst thing I could say about anyone! I just hope that he knows how many people did and do support him, how many knowledgeable fans do understand his game and appreciate everything he brings to the ballpark, every day.
In July of this year, on my way to Fenway, I approached a man and his family to compliment his Bellhorn T-shirt and found that the group were Mark's cousins, there to see him play. They said, "He just loves to play." No matter what happens, I hope that's always true.
Thanks for everything, Mark.
My favorite 2005 pictures
Click on thumbnails for larger versions.
(and if you get a magnifying glass, click that for best image!)
June 10, Wrigley
June 10, Wrigley
June 11, Wrigley
June 11, Wrigley
June 11, Wrigley
June 11, Wrigley
June 12, Wrigley
June 12, Wrigley
June 12, Wrigley
June 12, Wrigley
June 12, Wrigley
June 12, Wrigley
June 12, Wrigley
June 27
June 27
June 27
July 1
July 1
July 1
July 1
July 1
July 1
July 2
July 2
July 3
July 3
July 3
July 3
July 3
July 3
July 16
July 16
August 2, Pawtucket
August 2, Pawtucket
August 2, Pawtucket
August 2, Pawtucket
sorry about the giant thumbnail
August 2, Pawtucket
August 2, Pawtucket
August 2, Pawtucket
August 2, Pawtucket
(and if you get a magnifying glass, click that for best image!)
 June 10, Wrigley |
 June 10, Wrigley |
 June 11, Wrigley |
 June 11, Wrigley |
 June 11, Wrigley |
 June 11, Wrigley |
 June 12, Wrigley |
 June 12, Wrigley |
 June 12, Wrigley |
 June 12, Wrigley |
 June 12, Wrigley |
 June 12, Wrigley |
 June 12, Wrigley |
 June 27 |
 June 27 |
 June 27 |
 July 1 |
 July 1 |
 July 1 |
 July 1 |
 July 1 |
 July 1 |
 July 2 |
 July 2 |
 July 3 |
 July 3 |
 July 3 |
 July 3 |
 July 3 |
 July 3 |
 July 16 |
 July 16 |
 August 2, Pawtucket |
 August 2, Pawtucket |
 August 2, Pawtucket |
 August 2, Pawtucket sorry about the giant thumbnail |
 August 2, Pawtucket |
 August 2, Pawtucket |
 August 2, Pawtucket |
 August 2, Pawtucket |