Trophy restores faith in great old game of baseball

To the Editor:

It is easy to be cynical about professional sports in these days of steroids and other scandals. But occasionally something happens that restores your faith in the power of sport to inspire, comfort and excite.

The 2007 World Series Trophy visited Halifax last Monday and Tuesday and, as a member of the Bluenose Bosox Brotherhood, I was privileged to be able to observe the many events up close. I saw the effect the trophy had on people like 73-year old Darrell Corbett of Berwick, who has been following the Red Sox since the 1940s.

I saw tears in the eyes of countless other older fans that were genuinely moved by their proximity of this symbol of baseball excellence. I saw the impact the trophy had on sick kids at the IWK Hospital and it was a humbling experience for everyone present.

I saw the stars in the eyes of students at St. Patrick Alexandria School when the trophy was brought into the gym. I saw grown men and women turned into little kids right before my eyes as they posed with the trophy.

I would like to sincerely thank all those involved in making this happen. That list is extensive and includes all 150 members (and growing rapidly) members of the BBB. In particular, I’d like to single out Dave Ritcey, Don Hyslop, Mike Kydd, Jennifer Grabmann, Cecil Wright, and Vern Acker for their tireless work on this ambitious project. I’d also like to thank the Province of Nova Scotia and the Department of Tourism for their wonderful support.

A special vote of thanks goes to Mr. Harold Foster, the U.S. Consul General in Halifax, and his tremendous staff, including Liz, whose daughter’s middle name is Fenway! Thanks to the Nova Scotia and Canadian media, which saw the worth of this event and covered it generously.

The Boston Red Sox organization was tremendous from the very beginning. They were gracious, professional and dedicated to making this a memorable event for all concerned. Chuck Steedman, the Vice President of Fenway Enterprises and Broadcast Services, was a pleasure to work with, as was Colin Burch, Manager of Broadcasting. And the event would have been much less colourful without Wally, the Green Monster, who never lost his smile, despite the long hours of shaking hands and delighting children of all ages. Thanks also to his close, close friend Chris Bergstrom.

This was not just an event for Red Sox fans, although the sea of Red Sox attire at the N.S. Sports Hall of Fame and the Mic Mac Mall made us all very proud. It was an event for baseball fans of every team and there was a mutual respect among the thousands of fans who turned out for the public viewings. Red Sox, Blue Jay and Yankee fans found a common bond in their love of the game and their recognition of the talent and effort that goes into winning the World Series.

Thank you, Nova Scotia, for responding to this event in such overwhelming style and with such great class. You made us all proud. We also made the rest of Canada take notice and proved once and for all that Red Sox Nation has no borders.



Jim Prime

Co-founder, Bluenose Bosox Brotherhood